The United States is increasingly taking a tough stance on China, making it clear it can’t continue with its aggressive behaviour. And while this could prompt other Western countries and allies to adopt a similar approach, the United States can do more to keep its allies close and ensure they don’t become at risk of drifting into China’s embrace.
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) frequently threatens trade sanctions, and has adopted an imperious tone towards both the United States and Canada, while at the same time calling for improved relations. Beijing apparently thinks this carrot-and-stick approach will work. But President Donald Trump is made of stronger stuff. Washington could win big with minimal effort by relaxing planned tariffs on Canada to counter those of China.
Canadians naturally prefer a fellow democracy to the regime in Beijing. And right now, Canada deserves an American pat on the back. Canada just signed on to a tough-on-China resolution negotiated by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and agreed to by all G7 foreign ministers. As this illustrates, keeping Ottawa happy and onside would be easy if America turned around deteriorating U.S.–Canada relations by being a tad more friendly.
Canadian farmers would likely appreciate help countering China’s planned tariffs on canola oil, oil cakes, peas, pork, and aquatic products, for example. The tariffs are set to begin on March 20. Meanwhile, the United States is threatening 25 percent tariffs on most Canadian goods slated to begin on April 2. It would be better for the United States not to impose such tariffs on a close ally, both from an ideological and geographical perspective. The proximity of the two countries negates the need for tariffs based on any national security or economic need.
Like the United States, Canada is in the early stages of a trade war with China after Beijing retaliated against Canada’s tariffs on China’s electric vehicles, steel, and aluminum. Those tariffs align with U.S. tariffs on the same items from China, and therefore help stop China’s use of Canada as a transshipment point to evade U.S. tariffs. Washington is now well placed to return that favour.
In addition to cancelling some or all planned tariffs on Canada, the United States could lead a global relaxation of tariffs on the Canadian products that China tariffed. Instead of flowing to China, Canada’s tariffed goods would then more easily flow to the United States and our allies. Washington could lobby our allies to buy enough of the tariffed Canadian products to make up for the losses Canada suffered due to China’s tariffs. This is a good strategy in general. When China punishes the United States or one of its allies with trade sanctions or tariffs, all allies can join together to make that ally whole through purchasing the affected goods. This would remove much if not all of China’s power to coerce U.S. allies through trade threats.
Such a tactical approach would better align U.S. and Canadian tariffs against China, halt any further deterioration of Washington-Ottawa relations, help safeguard the U.S.–Canada relationship against future potential shifts in alignment towards China, and publicly broadcast the importance of the two countries’ ties after recent intra-alliance tensions. It would be a great way for an all-star team of North Americans to put our “elbows up” against the CCP and demonstrate that we are more unified than we sometimes seem. Fights in the family can be fiery, but our U.S.–Canadian alliance has always united when threatened from abroad.
It is hoped that the new prime minister of Canada, Mark Carney, will take a principled stance toward China. In the past, he had dealings with the Beijing regime through the companies he worked for. His response to cyberattacks in February during the Liberal Party leadership race omitted sufficient mention of China despite substantial evidence of its involvement.
Mr. Carney has criticized Washington and called for diversifying away from the United States in terms of security and trade. He is reviewing Canada’s F-35 purchases, for example. However, some other U.S. allies are doing the same given Washington’s recent pause of radar jamming support to Ukraine’s F-16s, which would effectively ground them. It is reasonable for Ottawa to seek assurances from the United States that the same would not happen to its F-35s. And it is also reasonable for Canadians to reject talk of Canada as America’s “51st state.” Pushing our friendship on Canada in a manner that it does not welcome is predictably backfiring. The same is true on the subject of Greenland.
Instead of drifting further apart, now would be a great time for Canada and the Untied States to show some North American unity against the CCP. At the very least, a U.S. exemption for the goods that China is tariffing would help. Washington could additionally use its influence to encourage our allies to buy those tariffed Canadian goods as well. Our allies would be pleasantly surprised that we are looking out for our friend to the north.
The U.S.–Canada alliance is critical to U.S. national security, and is being tested. North America is stronger when we are united as allies in jointly defending the Pacific from China, and the Arctic from Russia. In actuality, we are already there. A smidgen more politeness and understanding on our part would yield significant goodwill from all our allies, most especially Canada.
America’s great and long-lasting alliance with Canada is worth a helping hand in its time of need. Showing some flexibility on tariffs is the easiest way.
