Premier Li focuses on trade during meeting with Trudeau

Global Business

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Exploratory talks of a free trade agreement tops the agenda between the Chinese Premier and Canada’s Prime Minister at meetings in Ottawa. It’s Li Keqiang’s first full day of business after arriving on Wednesday.

CCTV America’s Roee Ruttenberg is in Ottawa with more.

It was a meeting of familiar faces. Chinese Premier Li Keqiang saw Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in China just last month. And as they did then, the two got down to business: specifically the trade issue.

China is Canada’s second biggest trading partner, worth around $50 billion. Trudeau said he and Premier Li agreed on Thursday to try to double that number by 2025.

China also wants to open talks on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement. But many Canadians remain suspicious of free trade and of China.

Trudeau’s openness to a possible extradition deal with China has been met at home with criticism and concern over the potential for executions.

Both sides said, despite their differences, these frequent high level exchanges should set the tone for more frequent low level ones. And, ultimately, a better tone for better ties.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau hold joint press conference on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau attend signing ceremony on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.


Jia Wang on Premier Li’s visit to Canada

For more about Li Keqiang’s meeting with Canadian Prime Minister, CCTV America’s Elaine Reyes interviewed University of Alberta China Institute Deputy Director, Jia Wang.