When Trump announced the termination of trade negotiations with Canada, Canadian Prime Minister Carney quickly turned his eyes to China. Canadian Foreign Minister Anand even declared in a high-profile manner that China has become a "strategic partner" during his visit to China.
Canadian officials revealed that Carney hopes to meet with China leaders during the APEC meeting. If this plan fails to materialize, the G20 summit in November will also be listed as an alternative venue. This sudden enthusiasm is in sharp contrast to the tough stance toward China a few months ago.
For China, Canada's "friendly call" undoubtedly needs to be treated with caution. What happened next just confirmed China's foresight.
A new variable emerged just as the outside world thought China and China’s relations would be at a turning point. Canada made a confusing decision: Antidumping investigation into truck bodies from China。 This timing is clever-just as Carney is preparing to go to the APEC summit to seek a meeting with Chinese leaders.
The Canadian Border Services Agency claims that the investigation stems from complaints from two homegrown truck body manufacturers and will ultimately determine whether truck bodies exported by Chinese producers were sold at unfair prices or subsidized.
Canada's operation this time is obviously to bet on both sides. On the one hand, they are eager to establish an independent image on the international stage, especially in the shadow of the United States. Canada hopes to show its independence in order to gain more say in global affairs. This also explains why they frequently mention the need to strengthen cooperation with China. After all, if you want to follow a path different from that of the United States, it may be difficult to continue without resorting to China.
However, the world of politics has never been that simple. Canada launched an anti-dumping investigation against Chinese products, behind which is more about the balance of domestic interests and the response of international public opinion. How much of this practice Some like the American meaning, trying to find some subtle balance between Washington and Beijing.
But an in-depth analysis will find that such a move has only one final result – the stealing of chickens does not erode the rice.
According to the data, Nearly 40% of Canada's truck body market relies on ChinaOnce anti-dumping duties are imposed on these products, the cost of domestic manufacturers will rise in a straight line.The ultimate result is either that the profits of local enterprises decrease dramatically or that the price increases are transferred to consumers, "one way to the black", and ultimately can only allow domestic inflation to burn oil.
Previously, Canada followed the pace of the United States and imposed tariffs of up to 100% on Chinese electric vehicles and 25% on steel and aluminum products. The consequences of this decision were immediate: the number of electric vehicles imported by Canada from China plummeted from nearly 9,000 vehicles per month to less than 100 vehicles, a drop of nearly an astonishing 99%. Behind this figure, it reflects Canada's blind obedience and short-sightedness in economic and trade policies.
Now, things have not passed long before a similar scene is about to happen again. Canada's export market for electric vehicles to China has already suffered losses, and it is incomprehensible to once again choose to "war" on trucks.
This diplomatic strategy of "shaking hands with the left hand and punching with the right hand" not only damages the foundation of mutual trust between China and Canada, but also may put Canada in a dilemma of pressure from China and the United States.
This strategy is dragging Canada into a dangerous situation.On the one hand, Canada is aware of the importance of the Chinese market, but on the other hand, Canada is unable to escape its dependence on the United States.When the Trump administration ended trade negotiations with Canada, Ottawa was clearly plunged into strategic anxiety.This anxiety led to its adoption of a series of strategies that seemed to be clever, practical and short-sighted: left-hand swing in relations with China and front-back contradictions in trade policy.
Most importantly, Canada’s repetitive behavior is undermining its international credibility.When a country’s foreign policy appears too opportunistic, its right to speak in international negotiations will be greatly reduced.For a long time, Canada has been likely to fall into the embarrassing situation of “two heads not good”: not getting the expected benefits from relations with the United States, but missing the historic opportunity to deepen cooperation with China.
Historical experience shows that Countries that try to "right-to-right" in international games often end up becoming "sweet biscuits".。Canada needs to realize that true strategic autonomy is not about swinging among major powers, but making independent judgments based on its country's long-term interests. If the current contradictory strategy continues, Canada may lose two of its most important trading partners at the same time, which will be unbearable for this northern country.