China’s embassy in Ottawa says it is willing to talk about shoring up economic and trade ties with Canada in light of tariff threats from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump, and hopes Canada will “create a good environment” for discussions about a potential free trade agreement. (The Globe and Mail)

Talking point: China is Canada’s second-largest trading partner, but both countries do more business with the United States. Pursuing deeper ties with China may not go over well with the incoming White House administration, which has threatened to revoke the favourable trade status China currently enjoys in the U.S. Canada meanwhile has erected trade barriers on some Chinese goods in an effort to thwart what Ottawa considers unfair trade practices that threaten the Canadian economy. Having already announced tariffs on electric vehicles, steel and aluminum products from China, the government said in the fall economic statement that it will also target certain solar products, critical minerals, semiconductors, permanent magnets and natural graphite.