In this special episode of The Negotiation, WPIC CEO Jacob Cooke steps in as host to interview Bijan Ahmadi, Vice President of Policy and Business Advisory at the Canada China Business Council (CCBC)—one of the leading organizations supporting Canadian businesses in China and strengthening bilateral commercial ties.

This episode offers a unique perspective: Jacob was in Beijing during Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent visit to China—the first by a Canadian leader in years—giving him firsthand insight into the trip’s significance. Together, Jacob and Bijan unpack what the visit means for Canadian business and Canada-China relations, with Bijan’s deep expertise in trade policy, market access, and bilateral economic engagement complementing Jacob’s on-the-ground observations.

This conversation comes at a critical moment: as the U.S. administration raises questions about Canada’s engagement with China, this episode cuts through the noise to focus on the facts—what was actually agreed, what it means for jobs and GDP, and why China remains a vital market for Canadian exporters and businesses.