Chicago – January 22, 2026
A prominent U.S. China strategist has sharply criticized Canada’s recent trade engagement with China, warning Ottawa is “playing with fire” by bypassing former U.S. President Donald Trump and urging Prime Minister Mark Carney to rethink the approach or risk “severe” consequences.
Michael Pillsbury of the Heritage Foundation argued Canada’s new deal to open its market to Chinese electric vehicles and deepen economic ties should have been coordinated with Washington, given the United States remains Canada’s largest export market.
Critics say China benefits when the U.S. and its allies are divided and that Ottawa’s independent pivot could undermine long-standing North American cooperation. Supporters of Carney’s strategy counter that diversifying trade partners is essential amid global disruption, especially as Canada seeks to reduce reliance on the United States under Trump’s “America First” policies. The debate highlights rising geopolitical tensions influencing Canada’s foreign economic policy.
