Tories discussed free trade with China, but focused on other deals: ex-minister
OTTAWA — Former prime minister Stephen Harper’s Conservative government discussed free trade with China, but chose instead to focus its energy on the Trans-Pacific Partnership and Canada’s pact with Europe, says a former cabinet member.
But that doesn’t mean the Tories made no headway in building Sino-Canadian relations during their decade in power, said Gerry Ritz, who made about 15 trips to China during his tenure as Harper’s agriculture minister.
“I tend to chuckle right out loud when I hear Trudeau talk about the chill that was the Canada-China relationship,” Ritz said in a recent interview.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau arrives Tuesday in Beijing for an official visit that will focus on strengthening Canada’s business ties with the world’s second-largest economy. There are high expectations on both sides.