The Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers and Businesses Canada (CCMBC) is criticizing Canada’s premiers for unanimously calling on Ottawa to improve relations with China, calling the move dangerous and shortsighted.In a statement issued Wednesday, CCMBC President Catherine Swift expressed disbelief that provincial leaders would seek stronger ties with a country she says has “regularly broken trade rules, dumped steel and other products in Canada, kidnapped Canadians, stolen intellectual property, violated international treaties in Hong Kong,” and harmed Canadian manufacturing through unfair practices. Swift also accused China of interfering in Canada’s elections, threatening national sovereignty, and committing serious human rights abuses.“China is the last country with which Canada should want to get closer,” Swift said.The premiers' call, made during this year’s Council of the Federation meeting, comes as Canada faces increasing trade tensions with the United States.Swift called any shift away from Canada’s traditionally strong trade relationship with the U.S. a “knee-jerk reaction” to short-term political circumstances, notably the protectionist policies of former president Donald Trump.“Trump’s term is short-lived, and the US mid-term elections could turn him into a lame duck as early as next year,” said Swift. “Making drastic plans based on circumstances that will soon change is foolish and not in the best interests of Canada.”Swift alleged some Canadian political forces are using U.S. tensions as a pretext to promote closer ties with Communist China for personal or political gain. “China has never done anything in Canada’s interests — in fact, quite the contrary. There is zero reason to believe this will change in future,” she said.The CCMBC, founded in 2016, advocates for manufacturing and business retention policies aimed at safeguarding jobs and economic growth in Canada.
