Amid U.S. economic coercion and threats to its sovereignty under Trump 2.0, Canada is recalibrating its foreign policy by rebuilding ties with China. This strategic pivot signals a broader shift by middle powers toward autonomy, diversification, and interest-driven alliances in a changing global order.

Introduction

Given the fact that the Eastern powers are now becoming direct competitors of the US, the Trump administration is securing its sphere of influence using whatever means it has. And that’s exactly what is hurting US allies. From the very first day, President Trump has made various statements regarding the annexation of Canada and making it the 51st state of the US. Constant economic pressure and mockery of Canadian sovereignty have compelled Canada to reevaluate its own position on the global stage. This year, from 13 to 17 January 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made a high-level visit to China in the midst of the ever-increasing tensions with the United States.

Historical Perspective

Being a NATO member, a Five Eyes state, and a very close ally of the US, Canada has long pursued a policy of restraint towards China. Under the US influence, Canada has always taken a harsh stance towards China – sometimes hurting its own national interests. Since 2018, there has been a constant wave of tensions between the two. In December 2018, Canada arrested Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou on a US extradition request. China viewed this as politically motivated and, in apparent retaliation, detained two Canadian citizens on charges of spying and intelligence sharing.

To further pressurize China, Canada imposed 100 per cent tariffs on Chinese EV imports, even though that would have harmed its own SDGs. Moreover, over the last decade, Canada’s close cooperation with the US in the Indo-Pacific has further exacerbated the situation. Amidst all of........

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