Canada at the crossroads: Will PM Carney defend sovereignty or chase China’s illusions?

9 months ago

OTTAWA: Last week, I argued that Prime Minister Mark Carney’s tilt toward the IndoPacific could define his leadership legacy. From reviving the stalled CEPA (CanadaIndia Comprehensive Economic partnership) talks with India to strengthening ties with ASEAN (Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam) and Japan, Carney signalled that Canada might finally be ready to diversify trade based on democratic values and not expedient deals. But this week, the story changed. Carney’s Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand has not so quietly begun reengaging Beijing, citing economic uncertainty and U.S. trade tensions as justification. And with Donald Trump back in the White House, promising widespread tariffs on Canadian steel, aluminum, and other non-U.S.-made goods, Ottawa appears to be reaching once again for the illusion of China as economic saviour. This is not strategy. This is surrender, masquerad...

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