From Threat to Partner? Canada’s China Pivot Raises Questions
When a country labels China a geopolitical threat one year and announces a strategic partnership the next, clarity isn’t optional — it’s essential.
Confused... 🇨🇦 🤝 🇨🇳?
We just went from "Carney says China is a foreign interference, geopolitical threat for Canada" to "Canada PM hails strategic partnership with China" in less than a year.
In 2024, the Department of National Defence released "Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada’s Defence" - the guiding defence policy document for the foreseeable future. In it, you can find the following with regard to China, to name a few:
"...an increasingly assertive China challenges the international order..."
"...China’s attempts to reshape the international order to achieve its political goals."
"...growing number of Chinese dual-purpose research vessels and surveillance platforms collecting data about the Canadian North..."
In April, 2025, PM Carney said that "China is a foreign interference, geopolitical threat for Canada."
In November, 2025, CSIS Director, Dan Rogers, said that "Chinese spies have tried to recruit Canadians who have access to government plans, information and military expertise through social media and online job platforms."
Today, January 16, 2026, PM Carney is hailing a new strategic partnership with China.
How will this impact our relationship with the United States? Will this further widen the already growing rift between Alberta and Ottawa? What about National Security?
So many questions raised by this... 'pivot'.
Thoughts?
