U.S. and China are Canada\u0027s two most important trading partners, from which a break either way could be devastating
a “death sentence” for Huawei. It’s also the reason Trump has given in pressuring Canada and others to follow suit. The choice, however, leaves Canada in a no-win position, said Stewart Beck, president and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. “It makes it difficult for us to make any sort of commitment on 5G that the U.S. is looking for and it makes it difficult for us to do anything with China. We’re stuck in neutral right now and the question is, ‘How do we get out?’” he said.
Beck said Canadian firms should now explore ways to diversify their supply chains beyond China in anticipation of more conflict with the country. “We have to focus on building new relationships in [Asia],” he said. “China has been so all encompassing and has provided such a good market for Canadian companies, but they need to start thinking about diversifying away from that to protect their opportunities.
Trump’s rationale for the emergency orders is familiar: he claims the firms’ access to user data threatens Americans’ privacy and leaves the country vulnerable to security threats. He’s also concerned they could censor political speech and spread misinformation.Lionel Bonaventure and Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images
“It’s truly problematic, and I want our democratic neighbours to complain vociferously when they see these kinds of actions in the United States.”
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