Chinese envoy hopes for NAFTA ‘achievements’

CHINA’S AMBASSADOR TO CANADA HOPES TO SEE EVENTUAL DEAL

China’s ambassador to Canada says his country hopes the U.S., Canada and Mexico can “make achievements” in ongoing NAFTA talks.

Speaking to reporters after meeting with Nova Scotia’s cabinet, Ambassador Lu Shaye said that China has taken “close notice” of North American Free Trade Agreement negotiations.

“NAFTA is very effective to regulate the trade relations between these three countries,” Lu said through a translator.

He sidestepped a question about what China was learning about U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade approach through the NAFTA talks, saying his country will always seek multilateral trade, “No matter what kind of trade policy the U.S. government adopts.

Still, he said his country recognizes free trade is under a growing threat: “While China will follow this ideology to develop friendly relationships with all the countries in the world, protectionism is rising in some parts of the world.”

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal government has been seeking deeper trade relations with China despite suggestions the initiative could risk upsetting the Trump administration during the NAFTA renegotiations.

Others have also warned about potentially rejecting a $1.5-billion bid by Chinese state-owned company CCCC International Holding Ltd. to take over Canada’s Aecon Group Inc. construction firm.

They say rejecting the deal on security grounds would anger China.

Lu was asked Tuesday whether such a move would jeopardize potential trade talks between the two countries.

“We will respect any decision made by the Canadian government in this regard (Aecon),” he said.