US allies edge closer to Beijing as critics warn China is gaining leverage over Washington
How is this acceptable?
As U.S. allies reopen trade and diplomatic channels with Beijing, critics warn that short-term economic relief is coming at the cost of deeper Chinese leverage — and weakening Washington’s ability to keep a united front against a strategic rival.
From Canada to Europe and Asia, U.S. allies are recalibrating economic ties with China as trade friction with Washington intensifies. Supporters frame the outreach as pragmatic and limited, but critics say it risks giving Beijing deeper access to Western industries.
Canada’s move has become the clearest illustration of the dilemma facing U.S. allies. After years of strained relations with Beijing, Prime Minister Mark Carney last week announced steps to reopen trade channels with China, including easing restrictions on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for relief on Canadian agricultural exports.
"We don't know whether (Prime Minister) Mark Carney signed up that trade agreement because he genuinely believes Canada should align with China, or he's trying to create some leverage in discussions with President Trump," said Gordon Chang, a China analyst and author. "But in either case, it's not good for us."
EUROPEAN LEADERS WARN TRUMP TARIFFS OVER GREENLAND 'RISK A DANGEROUS DOWNWARD SPIRAL'
On Saturday, Trump threatened 100% tariffs on Canadian goods if the country "makes a deal" with China, escalating a war of words that has included Trump suggesting Canada should become the U.S.’s 51st state.
Canada is not alone. Similar recalculations are underway across Europe and Asia as other U.S. allies weigh economic pressure against long-term strategic risk.
In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is traveling to Beijing this week — the first visit by a U.K. leader in eight years — as London seeks to stabilize trade ties with China after years of tension over Hong Kong, espionage concerns and Chinese investment in critical infrastructure. British officials have framed the trip as narrowly economic, but critics warn it signals a broader willingness to compartmentalize security concerns in pursuit of market access.
"Like it or not, China matters for the U.K.," Starmer said on the visit, adding it had been "far too long" since a British prime minister visited Beijing.
Across continental Europe, leaders have taken a more cautious but still notable approach. Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is expected to visit China in February, while Finland’s prime minister already has met with Chinese officials in Beijing.
President Donald Trump is also expected to travel to China in April.
In Asia, South Korea has gone …
How is this acceptable?
As U.S. allies reopen trade and diplomatic channels with Beijing, critics warn that short-term economic relief is coming at the cost of deeper Chinese leverage — and weakening Washington’s ability to keep a united front against a strategic rival.
From Canada to Europe and Asia, U.S. allies are recalibrating economic ties with China as trade friction with Washington intensifies. Supporters frame the outreach as pragmatic and limited, but critics say it risks giving Beijing deeper access to Western industries.
Canada’s move has become the clearest illustration of the dilemma facing U.S. allies. After years of strained relations with Beijing, Prime Minister Mark Carney last week announced steps to reopen trade channels with China, including easing restrictions on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for relief on Canadian agricultural exports.
"We don't know whether (Prime Minister) Mark Carney signed up that trade agreement because he genuinely believes Canada should align with China, or he's trying to create some leverage in discussions with President Trump," said Gordon Chang, a China analyst and author. "But in either case, it's not good for us."
EUROPEAN LEADERS WARN TRUMP TARIFFS OVER GREENLAND 'RISK A DANGEROUS DOWNWARD SPIRAL'
On Saturday, Trump threatened 100% tariffs on Canadian goods if the country "makes a deal" with China, escalating a war of words that has included Trump suggesting Canada should become the U.S.’s 51st state.
Canada is not alone. Similar recalculations are underway across Europe and Asia as other U.S. allies weigh economic pressure against long-term strategic risk.
In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is traveling to Beijing this week — the first visit by a U.K. leader in eight years — as London seeks to stabilize trade ties with China after years of tension over Hong Kong, espionage concerns and Chinese investment in critical infrastructure. British officials have framed the trip as narrowly economic, but critics warn it signals a broader willingness to compartmentalize security concerns in pursuit of market access.
"Like it or not, China matters for the U.K.," Starmer said on the visit, adding it had been "far too long" since a British prime minister visited Beijing.
Across continental Europe, leaders have taken a more cautious but still notable approach. Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is expected to visit China in February, while Finland’s prime minister already has met with Chinese officials in Beijing.
President Donald Trump is also expected to travel to China in April.
In Asia, South Korea has gone …
US allies edge closer to Beijing as critics warn China is gaining leverage over Washington
How is this acceptable?
As U.S. allies reopen trade and diplomatic channels with Beijing, critics warn that short-term economic relief is coming at the cost of deeper Chinese leverage — and weakening Washington’s ability to keep a united front against a strategic rival.
From Canada to Europe and Asia, U.S. allies are recalibrating economic ties with China as trade friction with Washington intensifies. Supporters frame the outreach as pragmatic and limited, but critics say it risks giving Beijing deeper access to Western industries.
Canada’s move has become the clearest illustration of the dilemma facing U.S. allies. After years of strained relations with Beijing, Prime Minister Mark Carney last week announced steps to reopen trade channels with China, including easing restrictions on Chinese electric vehicles in exchange for relief on Canadian agricultural exports.
"We don't know whether (Prime Minister) Mark Carney signed up that trade agreement because he genuinely believes Canada should align with China, or he's trying to create some leverage in discussions with President Trump," said Gordon Chang, a China analyst and author. "But in either case, it's not good for us."
EUROPEAN LEADERS WARN TRUMP TARIFFS OVER GREENLAND 'RISK A DANGEROUS DOWNWARD SPIRAL'
On Saturday, Trump threatened 100% tariffs on Canadian goods if the country "makes a deal" with China, escalating a war of words that has included Trump suggesting Canada should become the U.S.’s 51st state.
Canada is not alone. Similar recalculations are underway across Europe and Asia as other U.S. allies weigh economic pressure against long-term strategic risk.
In Britain, Prime Minister Keir Starmer is traveling to Beijing this week — the first visit by a U.K. leader in eight years — as London seeks to stabilize trade ties with China after years of tension over Hong Kong, espionage concerns and Chinese investment in critical infrastructure. British officials have framed the trip as narrowly economic, but critics warn it signals a broader willingness to compartmentalize security concerns in pursuit of market access.
"Like it or not, China matters for the U.K.," Starmer said on the visit, adding it had been "far too long" since a British prime minister visited Beijing.
Across continental Europe, leaders have taken a more cautious but still notable approach. Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz, is expected to visit China in February, while Finland’s prime minister already has met with Chinese officials in Beijing.
President Donald Trump is also expected to travel to China in April.
In Asia, South Korea has gone …
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