China Calls for Canada Alliance Against U.S. Trade Pressure, But Ottawa Remains Skeptical

China’s ambassador to Canada, Wang Di, is urging Ottawa to form a united front with Beijing against what he calls the United States’ “unilateral bullying,” as global trade tensions continue to rise. In an exclusive interview with The Canadian Press, Wang suggested that Canada and China could lead an international effort to resist Washington’s growing use of punitive tariffs and influence over trade policy.

“China is Canada’s opportunity, not its threat,” Wang said, adding that both nations have been among the few to take “real countermeasures” against U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies. He praised Canada’s stance so far and called on both countries to encourage others to stand firm against U.S. actions that he argues undermine global trade rules.

Wang’s remarks come at a time of deepening friction between China and the West, including Canada. Though China proposes cooperation, foreign policy experts warn that Beijing has its own history of using trade coercively. Roland Paris, director at the University of Ottawa’s graduate school of international affairs, said Canada should remain cautious, noting that China has imposed retaliatory trade restrictions on Canadian goods in the past and continues to pose serious diplomatic and security challenges.

Last year, the Canadian government imposed 100% tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles, citing unfair trade practices and weak environmental and labor standards. In response, China slapped tariffs on Canadian pork and canola exports—duties Wang says China would gladly drop if Ottawa lifts its own restrictions.

Despite these tensions, Wang insisted that China sees value in rebuilding ties with Canada. He pointed to growing Chinese imports of Canadian crude oil—bolstered by the Trans Mountain pipeline and a decline in U.S.-China oil trade—as proof of economic potential. He also noted recent conversations with officials in western Canada, particularly Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, as signs of regional collaboration.

China’s push for closer ties comes as the U.S. seeks to isolate Beijing through new trade agreements aimed at reducing dependency on Chinese goods. Wang condemned Trump’s approach as “hegemonic,” warning that such behavior risks collapsing multilateral systems like the United Nations and World Trade Organization.

However, Canadian political leaders have shown little interest in aligning with Beijing. During a recent election debate, Liberal Leader and Prime Minister Mark Carney labeled China “the biggest security threat to Canada,” citing Beijing’s support for Russia, its Arctic ambitions, and interference in Canadian politics. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has taken an even tougher line, pledging to uphold tariffs on key Chinese imports and calling China a disruptor of global order.

Wang insists that there’s growing support among Canadians for closer ties with China, despite public opinion data suggesting otherwise. A 2024 poll by Abacus Data found that Canadians rank China low in terms of global favorability, with an average score of just 3.1 out of 10.

“China has always regarded Canada as our friend and partner,” Wang said. “But for a relationship to succeed, it takes two to tango.”

As the geopolitical divide between the U.S. and China deepens, Canada appears to be navigating a delicate balance—one that increasingly leans toward caution, even in the face of Beijing’s open invitation.