卢大使：我相信很多人都会觉得有遗憾，因为大家的期望值是比较高的。但是我们也知道，商签自贸协定不是一件简单的事。两国政府都要进行充分的权衡。可能双方一时不能完全达成一致意见，没关系，我们可以花更多时间进行商量。总之，我们虽然对去年底没有启动协议谈判感到遗憾，但是我们对自贸协定商签前景依然抱有乐观期待。

　　凯蒂·辛普森：您对加中启动自贸协定谈判或达成协议有一个时间表吗？

　　卢大使：虽然中方希望自贸协定的商签能够越快越好，因为“早签署，早受益”，但是中国有几句老话，“强扭的瓜不甜”，我们还是希望事情能够“瓜熟蒂落”，“水到渠成”。当然，我们知道加方可能还有一些政策的权衡、时机的把握，我们可以等待加方在考虑成熟后再最终作出决定。中国不会强人所难，也不会强加于人。

Ambassador Lu: I believe many people felt disappointed because their expectations had been pretty high. But we also know that it is not simple to sign a free trade agreement. Both governments have to make thorough consideration. The two sides may not reach a consensus at the moment, but it doesn't matter, we can spend more time discussing it. Although we regret that the negotiations were not started at the end of last year, we still harbor optimistic expectations for the prospects of signing the FTA.

Katie Simpson: Is there any kind of time line in play here that you want to see trade talks launched by or want to see an agreement done by?

Ambassador Lu: China hopes to sign the FTA with Canada as soon as possible, and believes the sooner the two sides sign the agreement, the earlier they will benefit from it. At the same time, we Chinese also have an old saying, "nothing forcibly done is going to be agreeable". We believe when conditions are right, success will follow naturally. Of course, we know that the Canadian side may have to make some policy and timing considerations before coming to a decision. We can wait for that. We will not force others to do something against their will, nor will we impose our views on others.

　　凯蒂·辛普森：您会觉得加方是怕得罪特朗普总统才故意迟迟不作出谈判决定吗？

　　卢大使：我认为，当前加方在对外贸易方面把主要注意力和精力都放在了北美自由贸易协定的重谈上。我们也知道，一国政府在对外贸易上是有其整体战略的，它需要考虑到不同战线的贸易谈判。我们能够理解加方有关顾虑。特别是现在不管加方也好，还是中方也好，都面临着美国施加的巨大压力，都需要集中精力去应对。相信在这个问题上，中国和加拿大是站在一个立场上的。

Katie Simpson: So you don't want to try to impose this. Do you think that Canada's been slow to move forward with negotiations because they are afraid of upsetting Donald Trump?

Ambassador Lu: I think currently on the issue of foreign trade, the Canadian side is focusing its attention and energy on the re-negotiations of the North American Free Trade Agreement. A government needs an overall strategy for its foreign trade, and it has to consider trade negotiations with different partners at the same time. So we can understand the concerns of the Canadian side. In particular, now both Canada and China are facing tremendous pressure from the United States, and they need to concentrate on responding to it. I believe that China and Canada hold the same position on this issue.