Trudeau looks to meet with Chinese president at G20

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says he's considering "engaging directly" with Chinese PresidentXi Jinpingas tensions between Canada and China continue to smoulder.

Relations between the two countries have been tainted by hostility since December, when authorities detained MengWanzhou, chief financial officer ofChinese telecom giantHuawei, in Vancouveron an extradition request from the United States.

Soon after, Chinese authorities detained Michael Spavor, a Canadian businessman, and Michael Kovrig, a Canadian diplomat on leave to work for a non-governmental organization. They've sincebeen formally arrested.

Just this week, China said it wouldincrease its inspection of Canadian pork productsfollowing moves it made in March tocut offimports of canola seedfrom Canada.

"I look forward to being at the G20 in a few weeks as an opportunity to engage with a number of world leaders with whom we have either good working relationships or challenges,"Trudeau said during a media availabilityin Normandy, France, following D-Day commemorations, speaking about the upcoming gathering in Japan. "The opportunity to engage with the Chinese president directly is certainly something that we are looking at.

"The continued detention of two Canadians in an arbitrary manner by the Chinese government is of utmost concern to us. Their actions on canola, their issues around other products as well, is of concern. We are going to highlight the processes and the engagement that Canada has with the world and the way China should engage with the world needs to remain, following the rules, principles and values that we've all agreed to."

Trudeau has been under pressure, particularly from Conservatives, to reach out to Xi.

Earlier this month, Foreign Affairs Minister ChrystiaFreeland said she repeatedly tried and failed to get a meeting with her counterpart, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Lu Shaye, the Chinese ambassador to Canada who has been a combative presence throughout a serious and ongoing dispute between the two countries, is expected to depart soon for a new posting. Lu's departure meansneither country will have a permanent ambassador at a moment of great tension on several fronts

The G20will meet in Osaka at the end of the month.

Trudeau hoping to speak with Xi at G20

5 years ago

Duration 0:55

PM Justin Trudeau says he hopes that there will be an opportunity to engage with Chinese President Xi at the upcoming G20 meetings to discuss the ongoing dispute with that country.