As Prime Minister Mark Carney prepares for a potential meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, a former diplomat warns Canada to remain vigilant about the risks posed by China. Michael Kovrig, who spent over 1,000 days imprisoned in China, emphasized the need for transparency from Canadian leaders regarding the complexities of engaging with China.

In an interview, Kovrig stated, "We need our politicians and our government to be frank and transparent with Canadians about what the risks and potential rewards and the tradeoffs are." He acknowledged that while there are opportunities for Canada to engage with China, such actions must be approached with caution and safeguards in place.

Kovrig noted that as the United States retreats from global trade, China is launching a charm offensive worldwide. However, he cautioned that this shift should not be mistaken for a change in China's behavior. "[China’s] not offering to change its behaviour in any way," he said. "It just wants to change the mood music. That’s an improvement from Canada’s perspective… But Canadians need to understand that it is just diplomatic wrapping paper."

Kovrig's comments come as Canada seeks new trading partners, including China and India, in light of U.S. tariffs impacting Canadian industries. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand described the government's approach to foreign policy as "pragmatic," balancing economic needs with public safety concerns.

Anand stated, "We have to remember that it is necessary to raise issues of concern to the Canadian population. At the same time, we need to be pragmatic about our economic needs." Kovrig responded to her remarks, saying, "They’re nice words, but ultimately it depends on how they’re actually implemented."

The backdrop of these discussions includes Kovrig's own experience of being detained in China in December 2018, which many view as retaliation for the arrest of Huawei’s chief financial officer, Meng Wanzhou, in Canada. This incident significantly strained Canada-China relations.

As Carney embarks on a trip to Malaysia for Indo-Pacific Summit meetings, the potential for a meeting with Xi at the APEC Summit in South Korea looms. This trip gains urgency as U.S. President Donald Trump has halted trade talks with Canada over an Ontario government advertisement that criticized tariffs.

Derek Burney, a former chief of staff to Prime Minister Brian Mulroney, remarked on the importance of strong leadership in trade negotiations. He advised Carney to avoid making further concessions and to use his trip to Asia to signal Canada’s openness to trade and investment with Asian partners.

Kovrig expressed mixed feelings about Canada’s efforts to strengthen ties with China, stating, "To see a prime minister or a foreign minister smiling and shaking hands with people who were previously involved in taking me hostage and blackmailing the country is not comfortable." He acknowledged the complexities of geopolitics, saying, "Countries have to eventually move forward in relationships."

As Canada navigates its foreign policy, the balance between economic interests and national security remains a critical concern.