Friday, September 25, 2026
Burton: As Xi and Trump do their dance, Canada is left to wonder about its place
Burton: As Xi and Trump do their dance, Canada is left to wonder about its place
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/article-xi-trump-summit-canada-china/
The only way Mr. Trump could get Mr. Xi to weaken support for strategic allies Russia and Iran would be in exchange for a promise from Mr. Trump to stop supporting – through arms sales – the defence of democratic Taiwan against Chinese annexation. But many influential Republicans are diehard Taiwan supporters, so it is unlikely he could deliver this to Mr. Xi.
t was just nine months ago Prime Minister Mark Carney signed an agreement for Canada to become a “strategic partner” of China and adopt a new approach of “constructive engagement.” This means Canada is less likely to cross the diplomatic “red lines” of criticism of China’s Taiwan policy, human rights, China’s political system and China’s “right to development” (i.e. not stopping PRC acquisition of military technologies).
Mr. Xi seems prepared to go slow with Canada to avoid irritating China-U.S. relations.
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