Trudeau and Chinese premier reveal progress, even without formal trade talks

PM hopes to wrap up exploratory discussions, start negotiating ASEAN trade deal by spring

Canada may not be in comprehensive trade negotiations with China, but a laundry list of outcomes from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's hour-long meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang on Wednesday hints at what may be accomplished even without official talks. 

Canada also hopes to start official negotiations on a trade agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations by next spring, Trudeau told a working luncheon at ASEAN's annual summit in Singapore.

"We are meeting on the heels of some very successful economic meetings in Beijing," Trudeau told Li, China's head of government, as the two were photographed ahead of the first meeting.  

"We will continue to talk in a frank and open way about ... issues that are important to people in both our countries."...

This was excerpted from the 14 November 2018 edition of CBC News.