The Canada China Business Council (CCBC) hosted a business luncheon in Toronto on Monday Aug 25, 2025 with Li Chenggang, China International Trade Representative (Full-Ministerial Rank) and Vice Minister of Commerce, alongside CEOs and senior executives from around 20 major CCBC member companies.

 

The session, chaired by CCBC Chair Olivier Desmarais, provided Canadian business leaders with the opportunity to hear directly from Minister Li on China’s perspective regarding Canada–China economic relations and the status of ongoing bilateral talks.

 

CEOs and senior executives from Canada’s agri-food, financial services and manufacturing sectors shared their perspectives, outlining both challenges and opportunities in their engagement with China. They underscored the importance of the decision by Prime Minister Carney and Premier Li Qiang to reconvene the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETC).

 

Both sides emphasized the critical role of regular and constructive high-level government to government engagement in addressing outstanding trade issues, with the shared goal of recalibrating and strengthening bilateral economic ties.

 

For nearly five decades, CCBC has worked to promote prosperity for Canadians by facilitating two-way trade and investment with China. CCBC remains committed to working with all levels of government, and with our nearly 300 member companies, to provide Canadian businesses with the tools and support needed to grow, compete, and thrive in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.