China and Canada Resume Military Dialogue After Eight Years as Ties Thaw

China and Canada have reopened an official military dialogue after an eight-year break, adding a security dimension to a broader thaw in relations. The two countries held the fifth Defense Ministry working-level meeting in Canada on the sidelines of an Indo-Pacific defense commanders’ conference in British Columbia.

Chinese and Canadian military officials exchanged what China’s Defense Ministry described as “frank and in-depth” views on international and regional security issues. Both sides expressed a willingness to strengthen practical exchanges and cooperation and to build mutual understanding and trust.

The channel began in 2013, but the countries last used it in April 2018. Relations deteriorated sharply after Canada arrested Meng Wanzhou, a Huawei executive, at the request of the United States. Washington had been targeting Huawei, which was expanding rapidly in telecommunications and smartphones, and Canada cooperated closely with the U.S. action.

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Frank and in-depth

The relationship began shifting after Donald Trump returned to the U.S. presidency last January. China and Canada have restored high-level exchanges, expanded direct flights and moved to ease trade disputes involving agricultural products and electric vehicles. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney visited China in January and met President Xi Jinping, with both sides agreeing to pursue a new strategic cooperative relationship.

The renewed engagement also comes as Canada’s ties with the United States face serious strain. Washington has imposed high tariffs on Canadian goods, and bilateral trade talks have broken down. Canada has announced retaliatory tariffs of 15%, 25% and 50% on Canadian-dollar 27.6 billion, or about $20 billion, worth of U.S. imports starting on the eighth. Canada is seeking to reduce its dependence on U.S. goods and supply chains and pursue greater strategic autonomy.

For Beijing, closer ties with Canada offer a chance to present China as an alternative market and a partner willing to engage in dialogue while traditional U.S. allies broaden their economic and diplomatic options under pressure from the Trump administration. Wendy Cutler, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute, said, “It would not be surprising if China intensified its efforts to pull Canada toward its side.”

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It would not be surprising if China intensified its efforts to pull Canada toward its side.