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QUESTION PERIOD — Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Canada-China Relations

May 1, 2019


I’d like to return to the question of canola exports for a moment, and the more general environment. You talked about the importance of economic engagement with China, but we’ve also heard in recent weeks from China watchers, from business leaders, from former diplomats, that we are naive when it comes to our relations with China. A colleague across quoted a former ambassador:

. . . we all have a stake in pushing back against a China that uses hostage diplomacy, economic blackmail and even the threat of execution to achieve its objectives.

These are very strong words.

What do we do? We have a program announcement today, which was helpful, but this is not compensation to farmers. This is a loan program that they have to pay back. What do we do if China decides to expand beyond agriculture, beyond canola, pork and soybeans, and goes to something like potash? Would we consider making our intentions public to end negotiations with Huawei over its 5G technology? That would be one way to do it. Is there any other — perhaps the investment bank was suggested. How do we make a statement to China, given the considerations that this is diplomacy and it’s very sensitive, that we mean business, we’re serious, and we can’t use the threat of execution in foreign policy?

Hon. Peter Harder (Government Representative in the Senate) [ + ]

I thank the honourable senator for her question. Let me reiterate that the Government of Canada takes the issues that you have raised, from canola to the Canadians in detention, to the potential of other sectors of our relationship being affected, very seriously. It is one that preoccupies the government at the highest level. Actions are being taken. I think it is important that we react in a disciplined fashion and one that does not put at further risk intemperate reactions to our actions.

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