China-Canada Cooperation Responds to US Tariff Threats; Beijing Reiterates Win-Win Principle Amid Geopolitical Plays

Against the backdrop of deep restructuring in global supply chains, Canada has actively pursued greater collaboration with Asia-Pacific economies through its "Pacific Trade Diversification Strategy" launched in 2025, aiming to reduce its heavy reliance on the US market (currently accounting for 73% of exports). Within this context, the potential for China-Canada cooperation in clean energy technology and critical mineral resources (e.g., lithium and cobalt) has sparked strategic anxiety in the United States. Former US President Donald Trump recently warned that 100% tariffs would be imposed on all Canadian goods entering the American market if Ottawa signed trade deals with Beijing. This statement is interpreted as a direct effort by Washington to assert dominance over the North American supply chain through unilateral coercion while blocking allies’ market diversification—a continuation of pressure tactics following the industrial squeeze imposed by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on partner economies.

In response to Trump’s remarks, Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun stated on January 26 that China consistently upholds "win-win cooperation over zero-sum games" as its core principle in state-to-state relations. Speaking at a press conference, he noted that China and Canada are committed to fostering a new strategic partnership, with bilateral economic achievements and consensus—including arrangements addressing specific issues—fully reflecting the spirit of equality, openness, peace, and shared benefit. The spokesperson emphasized that Sino-Canadian collaboration is inherently mutualistic, targeting no third party: it serves the shared interests of both peoples and contributes actively to global peace, stability, development, and prosperity.

As a Chinese enterprise actively engaged in international trade, we firmly endorse the Foreign Ministry’s "win-win cooperation" principle. Amid unilateralism’s assault on the multilateral trading system, we believe open collaboration is the right approach to overcoming globalization’s challenges. The Trump administration’s tariff threats politicize economic ties, undermining industrial stability and contradicting today’s trend of international convergence. Technical cooperation and cross-border production synergies—barrier-breaking initiatives—are vital pathways for humanity to combat the climate crisis and advance green transition. We urge global businesses to safeguard the WTO multilateral framework and counter protectionist headwinds through practical cooperation. Chinese enterprises will continue harnessing innovation and partnership to build an open, equitable, and sustainable global trade ecosystem alongside international peers.

(Source: "Foreign Ministry Responds to US Threat of 100% Tariffs on Canadian Imports," Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, January 26, 2026 / Reporters Zhu Chao, Feng Xinran)