As Canada looks to recalibrate relations with China amid the ongoing trade war with the U.S., former Canadian diplomat Michael Kovrig is warning against making China \u201cthe core\u201d of its economic diversification strategy.<\/p>\n
\u201cMaking China the core of that strategy (is) not a good idea, because it\u2019s not geopolitically a reliable partner,\u201d Kovrig said in an exclusive interview with CTV\u2019s Question Period airing Sunday. \u201cAs it\u2019s demonstrated time and again, if you create dependency on China, it will weaponize it for political purposes and to silence Canada and constrain our foreign policy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Kovrig\u2019s comments come one week after Prime Minister Mark Carney met with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea. It was the first meeting between the countries\u2019 two top leaders in eight years.<\/p>\n
The relationship between Canada and China soured significantly in 2018, after Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou on behalf of the United States over bank fraud charges.<\/p>\n
Days later, China detained Kovrig and fellow Canadian Michael Spavor over allegations of espionage \u2014 accusations they denied. Both men were eventually released after spending more than 1,000 days in a Chinese prison, not long after Meng herself was released from house arrest.<\/p>\n
Allegations of foreign interference against China have also persisted, with the final report of the Public Inquiry into Foreign Interference calling China \u201cthe most active perpetrator of foreign interference targeting Canada\u2019s democratic institutions,\u201d earlier this year.<\/p>\n
While Carney described his meeting with Xi as a \u201cturning point\u201d in the relationship, he also acknowledged differences between the two countries when speaking to reporters afterwards.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will be pragmatic,\u201d Carney said. \u201cWe will be open and frank with each other on issues. There are issues of challenge and where we can find common ground, we will find common ground.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked by host Vassy Kapelos whether Canada should turn to China as much as it turns away from the U.S., Kovrig said: \u201cI would strongly avoid that framework.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cAs long as you make sure China doesn\u2019t have too much leverage over any one Canadian company or sector, that can be part of a strategy,\u201d Kovrig said. \u201cBut it\u2019s got to be managed holistically that way.\u201d<\/p>\n
Should Canada lift tariffs on Chinese EVs?<\/p>\n
In an interview with CTV\u2019s Question Period earlier this month, China\u2019s Ambassador to Canada, Wang Di said China will lift its canola tariffs<\/a> if Canada drops its electric vehicle (EV) tariffs.<\/p>\n Canada is currently undergoing a review of its decision under former prime minister Justin Trudeau to levy 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese-made EVs. The policy was made in concert with the United States.<\/p>\n In retaliation, China levied a 100 per cent tariff on Canadian canola oil and meal, and a 75.8 per cent tariff on canola seed. China has also imposed a 25 per cent levy on some seafood products.<\/p>\n Following Carney\u2019s meeting with Xi, the two leaders directed their officials to move quickly to resolve outstanding trade issues and irritants.<\/p>\n Carney afterwards said immediate action on reducing tariffs is not realistic.<\/p>\n