Michael Spavor
TaiwanbusinessmanMale5.0Global Dominance: 0.00%Michael Spavor is a Canadian businessman and former diplomat known for his work in North Korea. He was detained in China in December 2018 alongside Michael Kovrig, amid rising tensions between Canada and China following the arrest of Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou. Spavor's detention has highlighted the geopolitical struggles and has drawn attention to issues surrounding consular access and the treatment of foreign nationals in China.
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Michael Spavor was also detained by Beijing following the incident involving Meng Wanzhou.
Washington has an honest mapTaiwan· 2026-06-23
Michael Spavor was arrested alongside Michael Kovrig and spent years without contact with family or lawyers.
Interview: Warum Europa Pekings Zwangspolitik zu wenig entgegensetzt - Politik
Germany· 2026-02-13Beijing detained two Canadians — Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig — on espionage charges that Ottawa condemned as retaliatory.
China overturns Canadian’s sentence - Taipei TimesTaiwan· 2026-02-08
Michael Spavor was detained on espionage charges that Ottawa condemned as retaliatory.
China overturns death sentence of Canadian in sign of diplomatic thaw | China
United Kingdom· 2026-02-07
Michael Spavor's detention in China was cited as a factor in the rising tensions affecting BYD's operations in Canada.
Why BYD’s first manufacturing foothold in Canada was a bust
Canada· 2026-01-23
Michael Spavor was detained on espionage charges, which critics saw as retaliation for Meng Wanzhou's arrest.
China and Canada announce tariffs relief after a high-stakes meetingUnited Kingdom· 2026-01-16Businessman Michael Spavor was arrested on espionage charges in China days after Meng Wanzhou's arrest.
Canada’s leader patches things up with China as rift with Trump upends old certainties
United States· 2026-01-16Michael Spavor was incarcerated by China, highlighting the tensions in Canada-China relations.
Rebuilding relations with China is a gamble Mark Carney has to takeCanada· 2026-01-14
China jailed the two Canadians in 2018 in retaliation after Ottawa arrested Chinese tech executive Meng Wanzhou.
Carney to seek trade breakthrough, reset in relations during China tripCanada· 2026-01-13
Hillman's tenure included working alongside US and Chinese counterparts to secure the release of Michael Spavor.
Canada's ambassador to the US Kirsten Hillman to step downUnited Kingdom· 2025-12-10
That deal led China to release Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig from prison.
Kirsten Hillman, Canada’s ambassador to U.S., to leave post in new yearCanada· 2025-12-10
Michael Spavor was also detained in China on spying charges alongside Michael Kovrig.
US trade war and tariffs are pushing Canada closer to ChinaUnited States· 2025-11-13
Canadians Michael Spavor and Michael Kovrig were detained in China for more than 1,000 days.
How Canada can properly use China as a hedge against TrumpCanada· 2025-10-31
Michael Spavor was also detained by Beijing, which escalated tensions between Canada and China.
Carney accepts Xi’s invitation to visit China as leaders meet in South KoreaCanada· 2025-10-31
Michael Spavor was also detained in China amid the tensions following Meng Wanzhou's arrest.
Carney says he will meet Chinese President Xi at APEC summitCanada· 2025-10-27
Michael Spavor was also jailed by China amid the diplomatic crisis.
What Carney hopes to gain from a Canadian reset with BeijingCanada· 2025-10-18
Beijing subsequently locked up two Canadians – Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor – in conduct called 'hostage diplomacy' by one Trudeau cabinet minister.
Anand heads to China as Carney attempts a rapprochement with BeijingCanada· 2025-10-12
The saga involving Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou and the detention of Canadians Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor.
Canada has an opportunity to reset our relationship with China – and, in a rare twist, on our termsCanada· 2025-06-06
Michael Spavor was arrested in China alongside Michael Kovrig, impacting Canada-China relations.
Canadian agriculture representatives lobby China for tariff relief, but fear it could be a long time comingCanada· 2025-04-16
Michael Spavor was imprisoned in China, which has affected Canadian trade discussions.
Canada stands at a crossroads as Trump enacts shattering political changes with the stroke of a penCanada· 2025-04-05
Michael Spavor was another Canadian freed by Beijing in the same deal that involved Meng Wanzhou.
Chinese executions of Canadians raise concerns for Robert SchellenbergCanada· 2025-03-20
Michael Spavor was also arrested in China, further complicating diplomatic relations with Canada.
Chinese tariffs come into force on $3.7-billion worth of Canadian goodsCanada· 2025-03-20
Michael Spavor was also detained and charged with espionage following the arrest of Meng Wanzhou.
Canada ministry ‘strongly condemns’ China’s executions of several Canadians | CanadaUnited Kingdom· 2025-03-19Michael Spavor was also detained in China in connection with the arrest of Meng Wanzhou.
Ottawa ‘strongly condemns’ executions of Canadians by ChinaCanada· 2025-03-19
Michael Spavor was arrested, which heightened tensions between Canada and China.
China hits Canada with new tariffs on agricultural, food products in response to EV levyCanada· 2025-03-08
