MNI BRIEF: Canada Shows China Caution in Talks With US

Canada's new foreign and innovation ministers sounded more cautious notes on dealing with China in talks with U.S. counterparts, according to readouts of meetings published Wednesday night.

Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne said he would work with the U.S. to "support increased cooperation to establish more secure and resilient supply chains for advanced telecommunications network technology, including for 5G systems."

Canada is still weighing whether to block China from its 5G network because of security concerns, a move several of its chief military allies have already made. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau while campaigning for a Sept. 20 election declined to commit to taking that step.

Foreign Minister Melanie Joly in another statement Wednesday night thanked the U.S. for helping return two detained Canadians from China and "stressed that the two countries need to continue co-operating on issues related to China and the Indo-Pacific."