It is a true statement, especially in light of the revival of the Monroe doctrine.
Waiting for another unhinged rant that always pops up when Kovrig makes any comment attacking him personally, a Canadian spy working for Canada, because they aren’t pro-China.
BertramPotts on
Trump is visiting China in April to negotiate with the Chinese, He’s not going to be asking for anything for Canada when he does, so this is just a plea to voluntarily restrict our sovereignty and national interest at the request of our own intelligence operative.
SabrinaR_P on
I wonder if someone or something isnt already driving a massive wedge between Ottawa and Washington, which makes the visit to China oh so important.
What a bad headline, honestly makes it look as if Canada is pursuing a separation from our largest trading partner and not the US pushing everyone away.
PNDMike on
No, Trump and his administration are driving the wedge here. We are a sovereign country allowed to make deals with whomever we want. Why should we be beholden to the US when they just disregard our deals whenever they feel like strongarming us?
You don’t get to be abuaive to your friend, then be upset when they start hanging out with other people.
TheAncientMillenial on
I hope it drives a wedge straight into you know who’s, you know where….
The more we do to distance ourselves from the Americans the better.
Canuck-overseas on
“given that China and Canada really have diametrically opposed interests in a whole range of areas.”
China and Canada are both dealing with the same maniac in the White House. Diplomacy is about finding similarities as much as it is establishing differences.
Agressive-toothbrush on
I AM CANADIAN AND I AM NOT AFRAID!
It does not matter if we are nasty or nice to Trump, the result is going to be the same.
TheTesticler on
Which is the lesser of two evils?
China operates in a very business-like way, but so long as we stand our ground, they are not as idiotic as the Americans (and I say this as a Canadian-American, lol).
AdAnxious8842 on
First, the article title is not really backed up by the content. A better title would be “Handle with Caution”
Second, I appreciate his perspective, especially given what he went through.
Third, agree with others that it’s the US that is driving a wedge between the US and Canada. The US has also helped China realize that there is advantage and opportunity to doing business with Canada again because we are ‘”in play”, that is open to perhaps new opportunities. Carney has been travelling the globe communication that we are much more open to investment and new deals. It is starting to have an impact. I think one of the biggest is getting Canadian oil to China now that Venezuela may be off the table or limited (thank you Mr. President for helping us out here). That could even mean Chinese investment to get the pipeline built with some variation of production exclusivity, etc. Whatever it turns out to be, it has to work for both sides.
Fourth, always eyes wide open with China. If we’ve learned anything from the US, is that reliance on a large buyer is dangerous. In the private sector, you never want to be dependent on a single customer for too much of your sales (been there, it doesn’t end well). China could be an interesting way to diversify, again, just keeping in mind who you’re dealing with. I’m sure the folks who do this for a living can work out what is needed.
incogne_eto on
Does Kovrig think that we are a US colony and need permission? GTFOH! Every nation should be divesting from the US right now rather than be held hostage & strong armed. It’s a sinking totalitarian ship.
stillyoinkgasp on
Trump having his citizens murdered and then calling the victims domestic terrorists is what made the wedge, alongside a number of other straight-up villainous things that fucker has done since he took office.
Fuck off with this tripe, Kovrig.
GraveDiggingCynic on
Whenever this sort of zero sum game argument is made, particularly in relations to nations like China, I am always mindful of Winston Churchill’s words when be criticized for forging an alliance with the Soviet Union after the German invasion on June 22, 1941:
“If Hitler invaded Hell, I would make at least a favourable reference to the Devil in the House of Commons.”
GhostOfWalterRodney on
Kovrig really REALLY wants Canada to get eaten up by the US, he’s been touring this boring, annoying anti China material since the annexation threats from the yanks. Why are we listening to a failed spy anyways?
ChimoEngr on
> Kovrig warned that another reason China may be looking to reopen a diplomatic dialogue with Canada is to essentially drive a wedge between Ottawa and Washington, creating a more divided western world that Beijing can take advantage of.
I can’t disagree with that, but I also don’t think it’s grounds to not have this meeting. China wants to disrupt the current world order, because it prevents them from interfering with their neighbours to the degree they’d like. The US making allies wonder if the US can be trusted to continue to generally maintain world peace, is a boon to China as it makes everyone focus on their own security, and gives Beijing greater freedom. However, the fact is that the US is acting in a less reliable manner, and Canada has to protect itself, and China is, from an economic stand point, a large element of that, due to it’s economic prowess.
> “There are guardrails and strict boundaries about what is really possible in a China-Canada relationship,” he said, “given that China and Canada really have diametrically opposed interests in a whole range of areas.”
Carney has been mentioning that certain sectors won’t be part of any upcoming trade deal with China, so I think GAC is aware of the problem.
dave-rooney-ca on
The headline cherrypicks one facet of what Kovrig said. Yes, he did say we need to be wary of Chinese intentions with respect to “driving a wedge”, but that’s already happening in real time without Chinese help! What he emphasized more was the need to take a cautious approach to reviving the relationship between our countries.
mummified_cosmonaut on
Successfully building an expanded relationship with China is all for naught if China decides to wage war against their democratic neighbours.
The post-war Labour government in the UK went all-in on trying to build out a warmer economic relationship with the Soviet Union and… that did not work out very well.
PineBNorth85 on
That wedge has been there for a year now and shows no signs of going away. No matter what we do they’ll bitch and threaten us. We are better off ignoring them and doing our own thing.
mtldt on
Kovrig truly is milking the limelight for all it’s worth. I guess he didn’t get the same settlement the other Micheal got because he personally endangered him. A bit sad that his life will be reduced to a perennial China commentator bitter about the results of his own actions. Unfortunately Kovrig, what drove a wedge between Canada and China, wedging you in the process, was exactly the actions of the guy who is in charge of the US now. Maybe upon some reflection you might cast some bitterness their way.
BlueZybez on
Kovrig is irrelevant Lol. You dont need to agree on everything china does or does not do. We live in the real world where geopolitical environment is constantly shifting.
ether_reddit on
We have to stop tiptoeing around afraid that everything we do might set off the US. We are our own sovereign nation and we will act in our best interests, and if they don’t like it they know where they can stick it.
FriendshipOk6223 on
I believe people need to understand that we no longer live in a world where rational negotiation with the Trump administration is possible. When the U.S. government systematically undermines the international system and attacks its allies, Canada cannot afford to sit on the sidelines or remain almost entirely dependent on the U.S. market. Yes, engaging with China carries risks, but there remains a significant amount of non-sensible trade that could be pursued with China—trade that could meaningfully benefit the Canadian economy. The world ording is changing fast and we need to change our thinking as well.
21 Comments
It is a true statement, especially in light of the revival of the Monroe doctrine.
Waiting for another unhinged rant that always pops up when Kovrig makes any comment attacking him personally, a Canadian spy working for Canada, because they aren’t pro-China.
Trump is visiting China in April to negotiate with the Chinese, He’s not going to be asking for anything for Canada when he does, so this is just a plea to voluntarily restrict our sovereignty and national interest at the request of our own intelligence operative.
I wonder if someone or something isnt already driving a massive wedge between Ottawa and Washington, which makes the visit to China oh so important.
What a bad headline, honestly makes it look as if Canada is pursuing a separation from our largest trading partner and not the US pushing everyone away.
No, Trump and his administration are driving the wedge here. We are a sovereign country allowed to make deals with whomever we want. Why should we be beholden to the US when they just disregard our deals whenever they feel like strongarming us?
You don’t get to be abuaive to your friend, then be upset when they start hanging out with other people.
I hope it drives a wedge straight into you know who’s, you know where….
The more we do to distance ourselves from the Americans the better.
“given that China and Canada really have diametrically opposed interests in a whole range of areas.”
China and Canada are both dealing with the same maniac in the White House. Diplomacy is about finding similarities as much as it is establishing differences.
I AM CANADIAN AND I AM NOT AFRAID!
It does not matter if we are nasty or nice to Trump, the result is going to be the same.
Which is the lesser of two evils?
China operates in a very business-like way, but so long as we stand our ground, they are not as idiotic as the Americans (and I say this as a Canadian-American, lol).
First, the article title is not really backed up by the content. A better title would be “Handle with Caution”
Second, I appreciate his perspective, especially given what he went through.
Third, agree with others that it’s the US that is driving a wedge between the US and Canada. The US has also helped China realize that there is advantage and opportunity to doing business with Canada again because we are ‘”in play”, that is open to perhaps new opportunities. Carney has been travelling the globe communication that we are much more open to investment and new deals. It is starting to have an impact. I think one of the biggest is getting Canadian oil to China now that Venezuela may be off the table or limited (thank you Mr. President for helping us out here). That could even mean Chinese investment to get the pipeline built with some variation of production exclusivity, etc. Whatever it turns out to be, it has to work for both sides.
Fourth, always eyes wide open with China. If we’ve learned anything from the US, is that reliance on a large buyer is dangerous. In the private sector, you never want to be dependent on a single customer for too much of your sales (been there, it doesn’t end well). China could be an interesting way to diversify, again, just keeping in mind who you’re dealing with. I’m sure the folks who do this for a living can work out what is needed.
Does Kovrig think that we are a US colony and need permission? GTFOH! Every nation should be divesting from the US right now rather than be held hostage & strong armed. It’s a sinking totalitarian ship.
Trump having his citizens murdered and then calling the victims domestic terrorists is what made the wedge, alongside a number of other straight-up villainous things that fucker has done since he took office.
Fuck off with this tripe, Kovrig.
Whenever this sort of zero sum game argument is made, particularly in relations to nations like China, I am always mindful of Winston Churchill’s words when be criticized for forging an alliance with the Soviet Union after the German invasion on June 22, 1941:
“If Hitler invaded Hell, I would make at least a favourable reference to the Devil in the House of Commons.”
Kovrig really REALLY wants Canada to get eaten up by the US, he’s been touring this boring, annoying anti China material since the annexation threats from the yanks. Why are we listening to a failed spy anyways?
> Kovrig warned that another reason China may be looking to reopen a diplomatic dialogue with Canada is to essentially drive a wedge between Ottawa and Washington, creating a more divided western world that Beijing can take advantage of.
I can’t disagree with that, but I also don’t think it’s grounds to not have this meeting. China wants to disrupt the current world order, because it prevents them from interfering with their neighbours to the degree they’d like. The US making allies wonder if the US can be trusted to continue to generally maintain world peace, is a boon to China as it makes everyone focus on their own security, and gives Beijing greater freedom. However, the fact is that the US is acting in a less reliable manner, and Canada has to protect itself, and China is, from an economic stand point, a large element of that, due to it’s economic prowess.
> “There are guardrails and strict boundaries about what is really possible in a China-Canada relationship,” he said, “given that China and Canada really have diametrically opposed interests in a whole range of areas.”
Carney has been mentioning that certain sectors won’t be part of any upcoming trade deal with China, so I think GAC is aware of the problem.
The headline cherrypicks one facet of what Kovrig said. Yes, he did say we need to be wary of Chinese intentions with respect to “driving a wedge”, but that’s already happening in real time without Chinese help! What he emphasized more was the need to take a cautious approach to reviving the relationship between our countries.
Successfully building an expanded relationship with China is all for naught if China decides to wage war against their democratic neighbours.
The post-war Labour government in the UK went all-in on trying to build out a warmer economic relationship with the Soviet Union and… that did not work out very well.
That wedge has been there for a year now and shows no signs of going away. No matter what we do they’ll bitch and threaten us. We are better off ignoring them and doing our own thing.
Kovrig truly is milking the limelight for all it’s worth. I guess he didn’t get the same settlement the other Micheal got because he personally endangered him. A bit sad that his life will be reduced to a perennial China commentator bitter about the results of his own actions. Unfortunately Kovrig, what drove a wedge between Canada and China, wedging you in the process, was exactly the actions of the guy who is in charge of the US now. Maybe upon some reflection you might cast some bitterness their way.
Kovrig is irrelevant Lol. You dont need to agree on everything china does or does not do. We live in the real world where geopolitical environment is constantly shifting.
We have to stop tiptoeing around afraid that everything we do might set off the US. We are our own sovereign nation and we will act in our best interests, and if they don’t like it they know where they can stick it.
I believe people need to understand that we no longer live in a world where rational negotiation with the Trump administration is possible. When the U.S. government systematically undermines the international system and attacks its allies, Canada cannot afford to sit on the sidelines or remain almost entirely dependent on the U.S. market. Yes, engaging with China carries risks, but there remains a significant amount of non-sensible trade that could be pursued with China—trade that could meaningfully benefit the Canadian economy. The world ording is changing fast and we need to change our thinking as well.