When explaining why trade talks between Canada and the United States collapsed in late August, Prime Minister Mark Carney often cites the U.S. team’s shifting and last-minute demands. Those mattered, to be sure. But what he doesn’t mention is equally important.
In a 2,700-word address on Aug. 22 explaining why we’re in a trade war, Mr. Carney never said the word “China.” In his Sept. 8 Forward Guidance video, he mentioned it once, observing that an Alberta farm can now get better prices for its canola “because our trade diversification opens opportunities with China.” That was the deal he negotiated in January in Beijing, with the benefit emphasized and the price tag removed.
The U.S.-Canada trade war is really about what alignment means – and about China, too
