Trudeau was in Bangkok, Thailand, today for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, at which Xi was also present.
“Did you reach out to President Xi at this summit to follow up on your conversation at the G20, or do you think there’s really anything more for you to say to each other at this point,” a reporter asked Trudeau during a press conference on Nov. 18.
Trudeau confirmed that he participated in a number of sessions with leaders at the forum, which Xi also attended.
“I was very clear in all my interventions with all leaders that it’s important that we continue to focus on the things that matter for citizens,” Trudeau said. “I certainly shared what matters for Canadians.”
The reporter followed up asking Trudeau if he specifically spoke to Xi about their prior conversation at the G20.
“In these summits, there are always going to be more difficult conversations,” Trudeau responded. “Conversations don’t get to be easy when you’re standing up for your country when you’re presenting issues that are challenging.”
‘Open and Frank’
Xi and Trudeau briefly interacted on the sidelines of the G20 summit on Nov. 16. During their exchange, Xi said it was “not appropriate” that Trudeau had “leaked” details to the media of a conversation between the leaders the day prior.“Everything we discuss has been leaked to the paper; that’s not appropriate,” Xi said, adding, “That’s not how, the way the conversation was conducted.”
In response, Trudeau talked about the importance of “free and open” dialogue.
“We will continue to look to work constructively together, but there will be things we will disagree on,” Trudeau said.
Trudeau has recently faced questions from opposition MPs about a Global News report published on Nov. 7 alleging that he was briefed by intelligence officials in January, who said that 11 federal candidates had received funding from the Chinese Communist Party in the 2019 federal election.
“State actors from around the world, whether it’s China or others, are continuing to play aggressive games with our institutions, with our democracies,” Trudeau said on Nov. 7, commenting on the allegations.
“The prime minister should have informed the chief electoral officer so that that could be investigated,” Poilievre said during question period in the House of Commons on Nov. 17.
