Canada has resumed formal military talks with China, reopening a channel that had been dormant since 2018. Beijing announced the meeting the day before, while Carney’s government offered no readout. The fifth China-Canada Defense Coordination Dialogue took place in Canada under a cooperation agreement signed in 2013. China said both sides discussed regional issues and supported exchanges between their militaries.

The Chinese delegation included Gen. Yang Zhibin, commander of the People’s Liberation Army’s Eastern Theater Command. That command oversees operations involving Taiwan and has conducted exercises around the island. The renewed dialogue follows years of strained relations after Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou and China detained Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor in 2018. Canada halted military exchanges over security concerns, including knowledge transfers to the PLA.

Carney previously called China Canada’s greatest security threat and said defense was an area where Ottawa would not pursue a deep relationship. His government had indicated support for greater dialogue with Beijing but had not announced plans to restore formal military discussions.

Canada’s return to military talks with Beijing comes as its relationship with Washington continues to deteriorate. Trade negotiations collapsed late last month after Canada rejected new U.S. demands, prompting President Trump to impose 50% tariffs and Carney to promise retaliation. Trump later called Canada’s leaders the worst to deal with and has officially renamed Lake Ontario ‘Lake America.’

That backdrop insinuates that the China meeting may be more than a diplomatic exchange. The US is Canada’s largest trading partner and closest defense ally, yet Ottawa reopened a channel with America’s strategic rival days after Carney demanded the United States become serious about repairing relations.

Dialogue with China could help prevent misunderstandings, but the timing risks creating doubts in Washington about Canada’s direction. Those concerns intensify when the talks include the Chinese commander responsible for operations against Taiwan.

Whatever Ottawa hopes to gain, moving closer to Beijing without explaining its limits is likely to deepen the rupture with the ally Canada relies on most.

Continued strain with our northern neighbor could further disrupt cross-border supply chains, adding costs that businesses must pass down to consumers at a time when the cost of everything from gas to groceries is already high.

The consequences when it comes to defense could be more consequential, as Canada shares intelligence and protects North American airspace alongside the United States. If Washington questions Ottawa’s judgment around China, cooperation could become slower or more guarded at a time when both countries face cyberattacks, Arctic competition and threats from hostile governments.

The renewed talks do not necessarily mean that Canada is completely breaking from the U.S., or even allying with China. However, they do show that Canadian leadership is willing to seek room outside Washington’s orbit as their trade fight worsens. Tariffs may pressure Canada at the negotiating table, but pushing Ottawa toward China could cost the United States far more than any gains from trade concessions.