In the News

Canadian prime minister visits China after nearly a decade of tense relations

Reuters, January 13, 2026

Featuring Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: Nadjibulla warns that more co-operation with China in sectors like AI and critical minerals could jeopardize Canadian security.

Carney departs for China with risks and rewards around every corner

National Post, January 13, 2026

Featuring Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: “We cannot afford to take that bait," warned Nadjibulla when it comes to dropping EV tariffs to get relief from China's tariffs on Canadian agricultural products. 

‘A history of economic coercion’: Carney prepares for China trip, but international security expert advises caution

BNN Bloomberg, January 13, 2026

Featuring Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: Nadjibulla called this meeting between Carney and Xi Jinping a significant test of Carney’s “pragmatic diplomacy.”

“He will have to strike a difficult balance between pursuing economic engagement with China, especially in sectors like energy, with the serious national security and economic security issues that we still have to manage when it comes to China."

While Nadjibulla says it is important that Carney engages with China pragmatically, she points out that it will be “interesting” to see how he will navigate the conversation surrounding Canada’s national and economic security.

China trip a ‘test’ for Carney, with EV tariffs the ‘elephant in the room,’ say former envoys

The Hill Times, January 13, 2026 

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: According to Nadjibulla, Prime Minister Carney's trip to China "definitely signals an improvement in the relationship... [but Ottawa has] to be clear eyed that the relationship with China will remain complex.” 

Nadjibulla added the “test” for Carney will be in securing economic wins without compromising those interests. 

“China is an important economic partner, potentially, but it still represents challenges to our national security and economic security, so there is a limit to how much the relationship can improve.”

Carney Has a Lot to Lose in China

Canadaland (podcast), January 13, 2026 

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: Despite being what she calls "China cautious," Nadjibulla stresses that "diplomacy matters, dialogue matters. One has to engage in that diplomacy and dialogue clear-eyed with real understanding of who we are working with in the Chinese Communist Party and what can be reasonably expected from that." 

Canada's reset with China, however, "will be harder because the Trump Administration is going back to this idea of spheres of influence... [but it is still] critical for Canada to try to pursue policies that give us as much freedom of action... autonomy... and agency as possible... [but] it requires state craft and.... diplomacy, things that we haven’t had to do before because of our privileged position" with the U.S. and European partners. 

‘A history of economic coercion’: Carney prepares for China trip, but international security expert advises caution

CTV News, January 13, 2026 

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: PM Carney "will have to strike a difficult balance between pursuing economic engagement with China, especially in sectors like energy, with the serious national security and economic security that we still have to manage when it comes to China... China uses economic dependence, like in the case of canola, for political leverage.”

Nadjibulla stressed that "economic engagement" cannot be confused with "trust or with strategic alignment."

“Pragmatic engagement is fine. Diplomatic amnesia would be a mistake."

Canadian PM Carney to meet China's President Xi

BBC News, January 13, 2026

Featuring Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: During his trip to China, Nadjibulla says "Carney will focus on economic co-operation... and trade irritants," namely the Chinese tariffs on Canadian agricultural products. 

"Prime Minister Carney has made it clear he wants to reduce over-reliance on the U.S. and double non-U.S. trade in ten years... and China is part of that diversification agenda." 

"If there were to be any movement on the EV tariffs, Washington will be watching that very closely... [they] will also pay attention to the investment Canada might be inviting from China, especially in critical sectors like ports." 

Canada’s Carney plans to talk trade, relations during China visit

Business Recorder, January 13, 2026

Featuring Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: “Whatever agreements Canada has with China will be scrutinized in Washington and might have implications” for three-way talks with Washington and Mexico on a free trade agreement, set to be renegotiated this year, said Nadjibulla.

Carney’s challenge is “going to be to advance economic objectives while not sacrificing our national security and economic security priorities."

Canada walks diplomatic tightropes with China, India

CBC News - Power & Politics, January 12, 2026 

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: Nadjibulla expertly sums up Carney's upcoming visit to China as a "difficult diplomatic tightrope to walk." 

She adds that "even if the tariffs [on Canadian agricultural products] were removed tomorrow... our goal should be to diversify and not be so dependent on a market that uses dependence for political leverage... China uses economic leverage and coercion to try to influence political decisions." 

When asked about some Liberal MPs cutting their visits to Taiwan short ahead of Carney's visit to China to not 'create confusion' on foreign policy, Nadjibulla affirms that Ottawa should "be able to do more than one thing at a time. We can try to stabilize our relationship with China, but at the same time continue the deep cultural and economic relationships with Taiwan... It's a difficult time to be a democracy, and we should stand in solidarity with Taiwan." 

This will be the real test of Mark Carney’s visit to China

The Globe and Mail, January 12, 2026

Guest Contributor: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: In a new op-ed by Vina Nadjibulla, published by The Globe and Mail, she frames her predictions for Prime Minister Carney's upcoming visit to China and the effectiveness of pragmatic diplomacy.

"From Ottawa’s perspective, the objectives are clear and pragmatic: explore trade and investment opportunities, and ease trade frictions, especially China’s tariffs on Canadian canola, pork and seafood... To do so, he will need to manage three things: resist Beijing’s pressure for political compliance, keep economic security and resilience front and centre, and strengthen national security guardrails."

Carney to visit China this wek to rebuild ties

CTV, January 12, 2026 

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: This meeting with China is both an important but difficult one, says Nadjibulla, as China has "a history of economic coercion... for political leverage." 

"So while it's important to engage with [China] pragmatically and dialogue matters, it will be really interesting to see what kind of language the prime minister uses to show evidence of that Canada still sees China with clear eyes and will continue to protect our economic and national security interests." 

Canada’s Carney plans to talk trade, relations during China visit

The Strait Times, January 11, 2026 

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: “Whatever agreements Canada has with China will be scrutinised in Washington and might have implications” for three-way talks with Washington and Mexico on a free trade agreement, set to be renegotiated in 2026, according to  Nadjibulla.

Carney’s challenge is “going to be to advance economic objectives while not sacrificing our national security and economic security priorities."

CBC's Linda Ward speaks to Vina Nadjibulla on Carney's trip to China

CBC News, January 11, 2026 

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: Nadjibulla says Carney's upcoming visit to China will be a "real test of [his] pragmatic foreign policy. Success will depend on how he's able to strike a difficult balance between seizing economic opportunities... while at the same time protecting Canada's economic interests and national security interests." 

She adds that the balance of these issues will also be impacted by provincial dynamics, such as canola farmers in Saskatchewan and auto-workers in Ontario, and Canada's relationship with the Trump Administration. 

Carney heads to China next week, seeking new markets and better relations

Globe and Mail, January 8, 2026 

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: Nadjibulla cautioned Ottawa on being clear-eyed about what diplomacy with Beijing can and cannot deliver and the risk that China will weaponize closer relations.

“Carney will focus on economic co-operation including opening up new opportunities in conventional and clean energy, and on managing tariffs on Canadian exports of canola, pork, and seafood. In that sense, the trip could serve Canadian interests."

But, she added, China is not simply another large market to be balanced against the U.S. “The Chinese Communist Party routinely conditions market access and economic engagement on silence – or acquiescence – on issues Beijing defines as core interests, including Taiwan,“ she said.

Chrétien sets the stage in Beijing

Politico - Canada Playbook, January 8, 2026 

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: While it makes sense to deepen economic relations with China, where it aligns with Canada's interests, Nadjibulla cautions Ottawa to "take steps to protect [Canada's] national security." 

She notes that such steps could include investment screenings, and researching guidelines around critical tech, including areas around advanced technologies, AI, space, defense, [and] dual-use technologies." 

Nadjibulla adds that deepening energy cooperation with China has the potential to bolster the Canadian economy, but such agreements should not come at the expense of Canada's G7 partnerships and its pursuit of building a "China-free supply chain when it comes to critical minerals." 

CBC News Network’s Andrew Nichols speaks to Vina Nadjibulla of the Asia Pacific Foundation

CBC News, January 7, 2026 

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: “Prime Minister Carney's [upcoming] visit marks an important milestone in Canada-China relations... the timing of course is against the backdrop of growing tensions in Canada's relationship with the Trump administration and growing efforts from Canada to diversify our trading partnerships."

Nadjibulla says finding pathways for co-operation in the "energy sector" will be front and centre during the visit, amongst other critical topics such as "tariffs on EVs and agricultural products."

Nadjibulla says she expects to see some bilateral announcements from the meeting, particularly on the energy front, but cautions against any news on Canada's tariff relationship with China. "That's more challenging because whatever Canada does on this file has to also take into account the U.S."

What message does the U.S. capture of Maduro send to China?

CTV News, January 7, 2026 

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: “We had China and Russia already operating on the principles of might makes right, but it was U.S. power that was restraining them. With the U.S. abandoning that, it’s really difficult to see where things will go in the next months,” says Vina Nadjibulla. 

After these recent events, China, she says, will prioritize securing its economic and commercial interests in Venezuela. Trump has said that the U.S. would “run” Venezuela and its oil industry, which could put it on a collision course with Beijing.
 

Canada: Premier of British Columbia Davd Eby set to lead trade mission to India next week

Hindustan Times, January 7, 2026 

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: Nadjibulla says Eby's recently announcement mission reflects the reality that there is a “growing appetite at the sub-national level as well for engaging with India.” She also says it was a reflection of the “pragmatic foreign policy” adopted by Ottawa.

"There’s a need to work with partners with whom there are disagreements.”

New GAC report on ‘game-changing’ Canada-Indonesia deal reduces projected export growth by more than half

The Hill Times, January 5, 2026 

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: Nadjibulla says that Canada's bilateral trade deal with Indonesia "offers predictability to Canadian businesses and investors... [and] institutional linkages between Canada and Indonesia, which will grow over time. It signals strategic alignment and a desire to do more with Southeast Asia, and with Indonesia in particular. 

“But if you look at the bigger picture of Southeast Asia, there is still a lot of opportunities for Canadians because our exporters in energy and in foods will still need those markets... it still is an important agreement, and a lot of it will depend on implementation, which is not just a matter of what is happening in Indonesia in terms of opportunities, but also how prepared Canadian businesses are to take full advantage of that." 

Carney’s foreign policy shift to trade, security prompts questions about human rights

The Canadian Press, December 29, 2025 

Featuring: Stephen Nagy, Senior Fellow, APF Canada

Excerpt: Nagy speaks to his experience training Canadian diplomats for Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the shifting priorities as the department neglects to ask him to emphasize gender and identity issues. 

“That tells me a lot about the direction" of GAC. “If these were priorities, that course would have had at least two hours on it, but it went through multiple layers of the bureaucracy, and they didn’t ask for any inclusion of those issues." He says, "the values-based approach to Canadian diplomacy in the [Indo-Pacific] region was by and large seen as schizophrenic at best, and completely misguided, at worst."

Nagy adds that the Trudeau government previously put the environment, labour, and gender issues “at the forefront” of its engagement across Asian countries.