DistantNews
Support us
China and U.S. trading partners watch as Trump takes on Canada
🇨🇳 China /Economy & Trade

China and U.S. trading partners watch as Trump takes on Canada

From South China Morning Post · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Ongoing story
  • The deterioration in U.S.-Canada trade ties could encourage other partners to adopt a tougher stance toward Washington, analysts say.
  • China could benefit from growing distrust of the United States and may seek closer relations with Canada.
  • Talks collapsed after Mark Carney accused Washington of making unfair late-stage changes, while Donald Trump attacked Canadian officials and ordered Lake Ontario renamed Lake America.

The latest trade confrontation between the United States and Canada has become a test that China and other major U.S. trading partners are watching closely. Analysts and former trade officials say the dispute could mark a turning point as President Donald Trump applies his blunt style to global institutions.

The breakdown between Washington and Ottawa has opened another front in Trump’s disruptive approach to trade. The two countries maintain one of the world’s largest trade relationships, and a prolonged rupture could fuel a broader backlash against Washington. It could also deepen distrust that benefits Beijing.

Should Canada succeed in weathering the storm of US retaliation while standing up for its national interests, others may follow a similar ‘get tough’ approach.

— Wendy CutlerCutler assessed how Canada’s response could influence other U.S. trading partners.

“Should Canada succeed in weathering the storm of US retaliation while standing up for its national interests, others may follow a similar ‘get tough’ approach,” said Wendy Cutler, senior vice-president at the Asia Society Policy Institute and a former senior negotiator at the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. She said more partners appeared to share Canada’s frustration with Washington and what she called its heavy-handed negotiating style.

“Beijing must be enjoying watching the volley of words and actions between Washington and Ottawa,” Cutler said. “It would not be surprising if Beijing steps up its efforts to woo Ottawa into its court.”

There is no doubt that a growing number of partners are relating to Canada’s growing frustration with Washington, overall, and the heavy-handedness it brings to the negotiating table.

— Wendy CutlerShe described wider frustration with Washington’s negotiating approach.

Talks broke down late last month after Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney ended negotiations, accusing the United States of acting in bad faith by introducing “unfair and uneconomic” changes at the final stage. Washington responded that Ottawa had abandoned earlier commitments. Trump called Canadian negotiators “clowns” and “nasty people.”

The dispute then widened to Ontario Premier Doug Ford. After Ford said Trump could “kiss my a**,” the president called him “Flunky Ford.” Trump followed with an executive order that unilaterally renamed Lake Ontario, which had carried that name for almost 400 years, as “Lake America.”

Beijing must be enjoying watching the volley of words and actions between Washington and Ottawa.

— Wendy CutlerCutler discussed the potential benefit to China from the dispute.
About this summary

Originally published by South China Morning Post in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog