The Current Mr Carney goes to Beijing
Jan 12, 2026
Rosemary Barton, CBC's chief political correspondent, teams up with Stephanie Levitt, a senior reporter at the Globe and Mail, to discuss significant political currents as Canada approaches warmer ties with China. They analyze Mark Carney's upcoming visit, emphasizing his market-driven diplomacy and the delicate balance between U.S. relations and domestic pressures. The duo also tackles U.S. actions in Venezuela, questioning the implications for Canada's position in a shifting geopolitical landscape, and the political stakes for the Conservative Party.
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China Trip Signals Diplomatic Reset
- Mark Carney's China trip is a major diplomatic reset after past tensions, including the detention of Canadians.
- Canadians will watch closely because the relationship matters domestically and internationally.
Pragmatism Guides Foreign Engagement
- Carney approaches foreign policy as a business-minded pragmatist focused on market opportunities.
- He must balance economic opportunities with political risks like existing trade disputes and US expectations.
Provincial Politics Tighten Trade Options
- Provincial tensions complicate Ottawa's ability to remove tariffs or adjust trade policy.
- Carney must thread a needle between provincial job protection and broader market diversification.