Trudeau at G20: PM seeks support from allies amid China-Canada tensions

June 27 2019

OSAKA, Japan -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has arrived in Osaka, Japan for the G20 leaders' summit, where he will look to raise the issue of two Canadians held in China at "every opportunity."

Trudeau has no meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the summit to do this but U.S. President Donald Trump committed to raising the issue during his own meeting with the prime minister in the Oval Office last Thursday.

• Sign up for our Capital Dispatch newsletter, delivered twice weekly to your inbox and every day during the election

Trudeau will also lean on like-minded allies that have already spoken out about the detentions, including France, the U.K., Germany and Spain. 

On Friday, Trudeau will meet with European partners to discuss a range of issues such as climate change, though the diplomatic issue with China is expected to be raised.Earlier this month, Trudeau also discussed the detentions with U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May and French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of D-Day commemorations, according to the Prime Minister's Office.  Prior to the G20, experts including Canada's former ambassador to China David Mulroney said Canada could use the forum provided at the summit to speak to other leaders who face similar challenges with China.

• READ MORE: What is ractopamine, the drug at the centre of the China-Canada meat dispute?

"It is in America's interest and it is in the interest of a lot of other countries to see China pull back from hostage diplomacy and bullying," Mulroney said in an interview.

The arrests of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor are widely viewed as retaliation for the December arrest of Huawei chief financial officer Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver.

Wanzhou remains under house arrest, where she resists extradition to the U.S. to face allegations of fraud in violating Iran sanctions.

Ahead of the G20, China renewed its demand for her release a day after announcing a suspension of all imports of Canadian meat products.

Foreign ministry spokesman Geng Shuang told reporters at a daily briefing on Wednesday that Canada should "take seriously China's concerns" and release Meng immediately.

In response, a spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland said when it comes to the Meng extradition request, Canada has "very carefully and intentionally abided by its extradition-treaty commitments in accordance with the rule of law."

"There has been no political interference in this case, it has been entirely about officials taking decisions according to Canada's commitments," press secretary Adam Austen said.

"When it comes to China, our government's priority is the welfare of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor, who have been arbitrarily detained. We have rallied an unprecedented number of partners around in the world in support of Canada's position."

Days after Meng's arrest on Dec. 1, China responded by detaining the two Canadians and resentenced another to death after he had already been sentenced for a drug conviction -- moves perceived as attempts to apply pressure for her release.

Meng's arrest also sparked a diplomatic chain of events that have resulted in strained relations between China and Canada.        

The Chinese have refused to talk to senior Canadian government officials, including Trudeau and Freeland.

Before its actions on meat, China stopped importing other Canadian products including canola, of which is has been a major buyer.