Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to China next week, marking the first visit by a Canadian prime minister in more than eight years. The trip aims to revive dialogue with Chinese President Xi Jinping as Canada seeks new export markets amid strained relations with the United States under President Donald Trump.

The visit represents a notable shift in Ottawa’s foreign policy. Just a year ago, Canada received the final report of a public inquiry into foreign interference, which identified China as the most active actor targeting the country’s democratic institutions. Despite this, Carney is looking to expand trade and investment ties with Beijing, particularly in the energy sector, and to ease tensions over tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles.

Analysts say Carney’s main challenge will be strengthening economic relations with China without alienating Washington, which expects its allies to maintain a tough stance toward Beijing.

Carney will depart for China on January 13 and spend several days there. He is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang to discuss trade, energy, agriculture, and international security.

Following the China visit, Carney is expected to head to Doha and later attend the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he will promote Canada as a leading destination for global investment.