Cnadian PM Justin Trudeau called on the US not to sign a trade deal with China if Beijing does not agree to release the two Canadians, AFP reported.

Former diplomat Michael Kovrig and businessman Michael Spavor were detained last December on espionage charges.

Canada considers their detention to be the reckoning of China for the arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou in Vancouver just nine days before. In the US, she is wanted for allegedly violating sanctions against Iran.

When asked if he believes that a deal between the US and China could help resolve the situation with the Canadians arrested, Trudeau said they hope so.

Trudeau noted that his administration worked almost every day to try to make China realize that they should free the Canadians.

Maine was released on bail a few days after her arrest. She lives in her mansion in Vancouver, awaiting an extradition hearing scheduled for January 20.