Facing escalating tariff threats and diplomatic insults from the White House, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is attempting a high-stakes pivot toward Beijing, aiming to offset American pressure by expanding trade ties with China.
During a state visit to China from Jan.14 - 17, Carney met with President Xi Jinping to formalize a new strategic partnership.
The resulting agreement includes a significant reduction in Canadian tariffs on the first 50,000 Chinese-manufactured electric vehicles, cutting the rate from 100% to approximately 6.1%.
In return, Beijing agreed to eliminate tariffs on Canadian canola and seafood, while also easing tourist visa requirements for Canadian citizens.
In a recent interview with Taiwan's Storm Media, veteran media analyst Zhang Ruoting detailed Carney's approach, describing it as a "calculated resistance" designed to counter Trump's tendency to "bully the weak while fearing the strong."
"Carney has avoided the trap of appearing weak because he is a far-sighted leader operating on two fronts," said Zhang, a Toronto-based commentator with four decades of experience in North American media.
"He is engaging with Trump diplomatically while simultaneously expanding Canada's international markets."
Trump's Retaliation and the USMCA
According to Zhang, Carney has concluded that further concessions to Washington are futile.
Despite Canada eliminating certain tariffs in 2025, the U.S. administration has maintained existing levies and added new ones, signaling to Ottawa that "relations between the U.S. and Canada cannot return to what they used to be."
Canada's rapprochement with Beijing has drawn ire from Washington. President Trump has threatened 100% tariffs on Canadian goods, accusing Ottawa of facilitating the shipment of Chinese products into the U.S. market.
However, Zhang dismissed the threat as rhetorical posturing.
"Trump enjoys making dramatic statements but often fails to implement them," Zhang said.
The tension creates a precarious backdrop for the upcoming review of thetrilateral United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) in September, which analysts expect Trump may attempt to terminate.
Diversification and Energy Independence
To mitigate the economic fallout of potential U.S. decoupling, the Canadian government is accelerating infrastructure projects designed to bypass the American market.
This includes plans for a new pipeline from oil-rich Alberta to the Pacific coast, which would allow Canada to export crude oil directly to China and other Asian markets. Currently, infrastructure limitations force Canada to sell the vast majority of its energy exports to the United States, often at discounted rates.
"If Canada can redirect energy exports to China and other international markets, prices would exceed what the U.S. pays," Zhang noted, adding that European markets are also being targeted for raw material exports.
Lessons for Taiwan
Zhang argues that the standoff and Carney's subsequent refusal to capitulate serve as a model for dealing with the Trump administration. He contrasted Canada's approach with Taiwan's, suggesting that Taipei often lacks the negotiating grit displayed by Ottawa or New Delhi.
"Trump only respects strength," Zhang toldStorm Media.
"Complete submission triggers his tendency to bully the weak... Canada and Carney's approach leaves Trump powerless."
Zhang suggested that Taiwan should study Canada's strategy of maintaining democratic values while pragmatically engaging with mainland China to reduce over-reliance on U.S. support.
