‘Bending the knee’: Former Canadian ambassador on Prime Minister Carney’s misguided trip to China

You can listen to this episode on Amazon, Apple, and Spotify. Episode Description Canada finds itself at a crossroads in its approach to international trade relationships, with growing concerns about an apparent pivot toward deeper economic ties with China amid ongoing tensions with the United States. The shift has sparked debate about whether the country is pursuing genuine economic diversification or simply replacing one dependency with another. The current government had previously outlined ambitious plans to broaden Canada’s market access, improve domestic business conditions, reduce interprovincial trade barriers, and enhance infrastructure to strengthen economic independence. However, observers note that these comprehensive reforms have largely failed to materialize, with China emerging as the primary focus of recent diplomatic efforts instead. This approach raises fundamental questions about timing and preparedness. Critics argue that Canada has not completed essential groundwork before pursuing closer Chinese ties, particularly regarding foreign interference concerns that remain unaddressed despite years of promises. The suggestion is that policymakers are taking shortcuts by viewing China as a quick solution to current economic challenges rather than doing the harder work of genuine diversification. The geopolitical context adds complexity to these decisions. While Canada faces immediate pressures in its relationship with the United States, that situation may prove temporary rather than permanent. China, by contrast, represents a more consistent but fundamentally different kind of partnership, one characterized by efforts to draw countries away from traditional Western alliances and into a sphere of influence where power dynamics are decidedly unequal. Historical patterns suggest caution is warranted. Canada’s relationship with China has followed a predictable cycle: engagement leads to conflict over Chinese actions affecting Canadians or international norms, followed by years of diplomatic freeze, then reconciliation tours that restart the process. This pattern persists because Canada has not established the economic alternatives and safeguards that would provide leverage and options. Foreign interference remains a particularly troubling dimension of the relationship. Rather than diminishing, Chinese diplomatic influence in Canadian politics has reportedly increased in recent years, with insufficient government action to counter it. This sends problematic signals about Canada’s willingness to protect its democratic institutions and sovereignty. Recent diplomatic gestures have reinforced concerns about Canada’s positioning. Actions perceived as deferential to Chinese sensitivities, including decisions affecting relations with Taiwan, suggest a willingness to compromise on relationships with democratic allies to maintain Chinese goodwill. Such moves undermine Canada’s standing while signaling flexibility that may invite further pressure. The economic dimensions of closer ties carry their own risks. Particular concerns center on sectors like electric vehicles, where Chinese overproduction and below-cost pricing could create new dependencies while threatening Canadian manufacturing jobs. The pattern of using market access as a tool of political influence means economic relationships with China carry risks absent from partnerships with other trading nations. This is an automated summary. Please check against delivery.