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Opinion

Canada’s Strategic Ambiguity With China Is Becoming an Alliance Liability

Canada’s Strategic Ambiguity With China Is Becoming an Alliance Liability
Prime Minister Mark Carney and the Canadian delegation (L) sit down with Chinese leader Xi Jinping and the Chinese delegation at the start of a meeting in Gyeongju, South Korea, on Oct. 31, 2025. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld
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Commentary
After the Liberal government defined Canada’s relationship with China as a strategic alliance, the prime minister’s visit to Beijing inevitably carried more weight. This was not simply a matter of timing or protocol. It reflected a decision about how Canada wishes to navigate a more contested international landscape. Choices of this kind extend beyond trade or messaging, and when a NATO member edges closer to an authoritarian system, allies recalibrate while competitors probe for advantage.
Scott McGregor
Scott McGregor
Author
Scott McGregor is a former Canadian Armed Forces intelligence operator and intelligence adviser to the RCMP. He is the co-author of “The Mosaic Effect: How the Chinese Communist Party Started a Hybrid War in America’s Backyard.”