Prem Sagar Poudel
While Canada has long been known as a proponent of “value-based diplomacy,” it has recently presented a classic example of “value-confused diplomacy.” As the U.S. sees Canada as its 51st state and threatens trade restrictions, 13 Canadian provincial leaders recently reached Washington for lobbying. But the most striking issue was not Canada-US relations, but their decision to try to portray China as a “common economic enemy”, aimed at gaining American sympathy. This has exposed Canadian diplomatic immaturity and political opportunism.
Canada is currently facing significant external pressure. With an interim government and preparations for an upcoming election, the visit to Washington was a forced move. However, their collective strategy of playing the “China card” and seeking to fuel US anti-China sentiment clearly reflects the political views of some Canadian leaders.
They prioritized short-term electoral gains over long-term strategic autonomy. Placing temporary diplomatic opportunities above the fundamental principles of international relations will further dilemmas in Canada’s economic development and foreign policymaking. It has adopted a strategy of exerting influence over neighboring countries.
History has shown that Canada itself has been a victim of American Jacksonian policy. Nevertheless, the current immaturity seen in Canada is surprising. This is clear, Ottawa has not understood his true importance in trying to use China as a bargaining device for the US.
Canadian leaders have long used their relationship with the United States as a political arithmetic. Canada blocked its own technological improvement in the Huawei 5G case to appease the United States. It adopted an anti-China policy in its “Indo-Pacific Strategy”, which made Canada a “disruptor” in the eyes of Asian nations. The Meng Wanzhou Affair and the decision to impose a 100 percent tariff on Chinese electric vehicles were attempts to gain American support. Which seriously damaged China-Canada relations. The current attempt to lean towards the US by playing the “China Card” again is portraying Canada as a country without strategic autonomy. This has seriously damaged Canada’s international reputation and credibility.
Canada, with its natural resources thriving and stable economy, can pursue an independent foreign policy. Historic steps such as Lester Pearson’s mediation in resolving the Suez Canal crisis or the banning of landmines through the Ottawa Treaty under Jean Chrétien have highlighted Canada’s positive role. However, it is extremely worrying that some Canadian leaders are currently willingly seeking to make the country a pawn in the American geopolitical game.
The most negative effect of Canada’s “collective persuasion” is that, despite suffering from US unilateralism, Canada itself seeks to become an instrument of unilateralism. Although Canada claims to “oppose economic coercion,” it is politicizing trade by unnecessarily blaming China. Such double standards are making it a weak partner in the multilateral trading system.
The illusion of China as an “economic enemy” will further weaken Canada internationally. Trade relations with China, the world’s second-largest economy country, are in Canada’s long-term interests. Cooperation with China can meet Canada’s economic needs, while adopting a policy against China will put Canada in a more uncomfortable position.
It is still uncertain which direction Canada will take. However, history has repeatedly shown that foreign policy based on the strategic interests of great powers has tragic consequences. Canada’s future depends not on the meeting rooms of Washington, but on the strategic awaken of Ottawa.
Write to Prem Sagar Poudel
