A quiet pattern has emerged in Canadian politics – a consistent leaning towards China, stretching across years and administrations. It’s a fondness that began long before current debates about trade and security, and continues to shape policy today.
In 2013, even before assuming office, Justin Trudeau openly admired China’s authoritarian system, citing its ability to swiftly implement policies. This wasn’t an isolated incident. Years later, a former environment minister received praise from Chinese state media for hailing China as a leader in the fight against climate change, despite its status as the world’s largest industrial emitter.
The inclination deepened with key appointments. A former ambassador to China cautioned Beijing against escalating tensions with Canada, explicitly stating that any further conflict would benefit political opponents less sympathetic to Chinese interests. This occurred while Canadians were unjustly detained in China, a stark illustration of the imbalance.
Even during moments of national crisis, the preference for engagement persisted. When the world grappled with the initial outbreak of the pandemic, Canada initially resisted banning flights from China, a decision applauded by Beijing. A proposed joint vaccine development project, though ultimately unsuccessful, further underscored the desire for collaboration.
Recently, this pattern took a surprising turn. Mark Carney, who previously identified China as a significant security threat, announced a “new strategic partnership” with the nation. This agreement includes lowered tariffs and the allowance of tens of thousands of Chinese-made electric vehicles into the Canadian market, alongside increased cooperation in other areas.
This shift isn’t happening in a vacuum. It follows a period of strained relations, including a public inquiry that confirmed China’s interference in Canadian elections. The current government’s move appears, in part, to be a response to changing global trade dynamics and a desire to diversify export markets.
However, this pursuit of economic advantage carries a risk. The potential for prioritizing trade over the security and fundamental rights of Canadians is a serious concern, particularly given China’s documented human rights abuses and denial of forced labour practices.
The recent questioning of expert testimony regarding forced labour within China at a parliamentary committee exposed this tension. A Liberal MP aggressively challenged the expert, demanding simplistic answers, and his comments were subsequently amplified by Chinese state media.
While an apology was issued, it felt insufficient. The incident highlighted a troubling willingness to downplay credible evidence of wrongdoing, and the lack of a strong statement from the Prime Minister underscored the issue. Canada already has laws in place to prevent the import of goods produced with forced labour, yet the new trade deal raises questions about enforcement.
The United States is currently scrutinizing Canada’s adherence to these regulations, potentially leading to new tariffs. Despite this, the government maintains that the lines of agreement and disagreement with China are “clear,” but insists on keeping those disagreements private, a strategy that raises further questions about transparency and accountability.
