The Washington Post reported today: "Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is positioning himself as a voice for middle powers resisting President Trump's bullying. Now, Trump is subjecting Carney to his toughest test yet, as trade talks between the United States and Canada have broken down."
Commentary: The reason Carney elevates resistance against Trump to the level of 'middle powers opposing bullying' stems from domestic political needs—Canadians have long harbored resentment toward American arrogance, and a firm stance helps him secure support from the Liberal Party base. At the same time, he aims to leverage this narrative to rally countries like those in the EU, Japan, and South Korea, all of which have been hit by Trump’s tariffs, in an effort to form a united front, seek mutual support, and strengthen negotiation leverage. Yet Canada remains acutely aware of its economic vulnerability due to heavy reliance on the U.S. market. Firmness does not equate to a complete rupture; instead, it maintains a posture of equal retaliation to defend national sovereignty while preserving channels for dialogue and negotiation, striving to contain the economic damage from trade conflict within manageable limits, all while safeguarding its sovereignty and industrial interests.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1874451619182602/
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