Trudeau sees no rush on trade deal with China

VANCOUVER• Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wants to establish closer relations with China but, citing human rights and governance concerns, won’t rush into a free trade agreement with the superpower.

Trudeau, in an exclusive interview, struck a cautious tone when asked how he will proceed with one of his most delicate foreign- policy challenges. “I don’t think an FTA is something to rush,” Trudeau said when asked if he hopes to strike a trade deal prior to the end of his first term in 2019.

Trudeau made clear that Canada will need to see improvements in human rights, as well as assurances that Canadian companies operating in China will be treated fairly.

“I think it’s certainly a goal to look toward, but there’s an awful lot of work to do to get towards that, whether it’s on human rights and governance issues, whether it’s on respect for the rule of law around Canadian investments” in China.

“Canada and China have a long and storied relationship that goes back decades, and I certainly hope we’re going to be able to benefit from that friendship.”

He said he has constantly raised human rights issues in meetings with his Chinese counterparts, as well as express concerns about consular cases such as the detention of Canadian Kevin Garratt for allegedly spying while in China.

Trudeau said Canada can advance those issues while still seeking to improve trade and investment activity.

“We certainly hope to create a relationship” that generates more Canadian jobs through exports to China’s massive and growing middle class, he said during a twoday visit to Vancouver.

Top Chinese officials, pointing to Pierre Trudeau’s bold decision in 1970 to recognize the Chinese Communist regime, have made glowing comments about the prospects of Canada- China relations after his eldest son replaced Stephen Harper as prime minister in 2015.