Tensions in the relationship soared following Ottawa's arrest of a senior Chinese telecom executive on a US warrant in 2018, remaining high in subsequent years amid disputes over human rights and election interference allegations.

During the call between Carney and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, "the leaders exchanged views on bilateral relations, including the importance of engagement, and agreed to regularize channels of communication between Canada and China," the prime minister's office said in a statement late on Thursday.

They also discussed trade and "committed their governments to working together to address the fentanyl crisis," the statement added.

According to Beijing's state news agency Xinhua, Li told Carney that relations between the countries "have faced unnecessary disturbances and encountered serious difficulties" in recent years.

He added that China is "willing to work with Canada to jointly uphold multilateralism and free trade" in the face of growing unilateralism and protectionism, Xinhua reported, noting that the call came at Carney's request.

The comments were a reference to major disruptions in global trade throughout recent weeks caused by US President Donald Trump, who has slapped stinging tariffs on allies and adversaries alike since beginning a second term in January.

China and Canada -- both major US trading partners -- have been on the receiving end of Washington's recent tariff blitz and are currently engaged in negotiations with the Trump administration.

Carney surged to victory in Canada's late April election, a stunning comeback for his Liberal Party that had looked headed for a sure defeat at the start of the year.

Beijing stopped short of congratulating Carney following the result, though its foreign ministry said at the time that China was open to improving bilateral ties.

Canada's 2018 arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou spurred Beijing to take retaliatory measures that plunged relations into a deep freeze, detaining two Canadians -- Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig -- on espionage charges.

Ties were strained further over allegations of Chinese interference in Canadian elections in 2019 and 2021, charges Beijing has denied.

Ottawa has also been a vocal critic of Beijing's security crackdown in Hong Kong, as well as its treatment of the Uyghur Muslim minority.

burs-pfc/je/fox