PARLIAMENT HILL, Ottawa—Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s team in China negotiated a deal to protect Canadian investment there, but some question its value given the regime’s indifference to the rule of law.
But another expert argues that whatever value the deal has, Harper’s mission will have succeeded in building the kind of relationships needed to get things done in China, regardless of what is put down on paper.
Canada has worked on inking a deal to protect Canadian foreign investment in China for 18 years, though the agreement still needs to be approved in both countries, which would include a debate in the House of Commons.
But Greg Autry, author of “Death by China,” said the deal means nothing given the fact that China’s own constitution means very little, and the regime shows no respect for the rule of law.
He argues the agreement will be honoured by Canada and more often than not ignored by the Chinese regime, while long-term benefits will flow to China rather than Canada.
“China is going to get Canada’s capital, natural resources, and all of Canada’s manufacturing jobs, while Canadians are going to get consumer goods that last a couple of years,” said Autry.
