Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao meets Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng in Lima, Peru, on Saturday. Photo: Ministry of Commerce website

China has been Canada's second-largest trade partner for many years, and economic and trade cooperation has been a major driver of the bilateral relations, Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao said on Saturday, while calling for joint efforts to manage and resolve trade disputes, which serves the fundamental interests of both countries.

Wang made the remarks during a meeting with Canadian Trade Minister Mary Ng in Lima, capital of Peru on Saturday. The two conducted pragmatic and candid discussions on China-Canada trade relations and other issues related to each other's concern, according to a statement seen on the website of China's Ministry of Commerce.

Wang noted that Canada's discriminatory restrictions imposed on Chinese goods, including electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum as well as increasingly strict scrutiny of Chinese investments there has caused severe challenges to China-Canada economic and trade relations.

The minister urged Canada to take concrete actions to reasonably define the boundaries of "national security" and build a sound environment for China-Canada economic and trade relations.

China applauds the Canadian side's reiteration of support for multilateral trade systems and upholding free trade principles and other WTO rules. China hopes that Canada will work with all parties to oppose unilateralism and trade protectionism.

Ng said Canada attaches importance to the economic and trade relations with China, and that Canada is willing to maintain open communication channels with China at different levels and resolving issues related to each other's concerns in a constructive way.

Canada supports China to host the AEPC in 2026, and that Canada is willing to work with China and other parties to boost the success of APEC in 2026 when China will play the host.

Global Times