End of deep alliance between Canada and U.S. not inevitable, top Biden official says

Former U.S. Security Adviser Says Canada-U.S. Ties Must Endure Despite Tensions

Former U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan says Canada and the United States must preserve a deep and lasting relationship despite growing trade disputes and political tensions, warning that long-term cooperation remains vital to both countries.

Sullivan, who served as national security adviser under former U.S. president Joe Biden from 2021 to 2025, made the remarks during an interview on CTV’s Question Period, reflecting on Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

In that speech, Carney argued that the U.S.-led international rules-based order had come to an end, signaling a major shift in global politics.

“I do agree that we’ve reached the end of the post-Cold War era, and a new era is coming into view,” Sullivan said, adding that the structure of the next global order remains uncertain.

However, Sullivan said he disagreed with Carney’s suggestion that the United States and China should be viewed as equivalent long-term partners for Canada.

“Where I disagree with the prime minister is that he effectively equated the United States and China over the long term,” Sullivan said, calling that implication problematic given Canada’s historic relationship with Washington.

Enduring Canada-U.S. Relationship

Sullivan emphasized that Canada and the United States share deep economic, cultural and security ties, along with one of the longest borders in the world, making continued cooperation essential even during periods of conflict.

“It is imperative the two nations find a way to have a deep and sustained relationship, even when we hit difficulties,” Sullivan said, pointing to recent trade disputes and comments by U.S. President Donald Trump questioning Canada’s sovereignty.

Trump responded sharply to Carney’s Davos speech last month, stating that “Canada lives because of the United States.” He later criticized Ottawa’s warming ties with China, referred to Carney as a “governor,” and threatened 100 per cent tariffs on Canadian exports if Canada pursued trade agreements with Beijing.

Sullivan said Canadians would be justified in reacting strongly to such rhetoric.

“If I were a Canadian citizen and heard another country’s leader question whether my country had a right to exist as a sovereign state, I would have a very hostile reaction,” he said.

Caution Urged on China Engagement

While Sullivan acknowledged Canada’s efforts to diversify trade relationships, including strengthening economic ties with China, he urged Ottawa to proceed carefully.

“It makes perfect sense to continue to have an economic relationship with China,” Sullivan said, but warned that predictability from Beijing does not necessarily translate into reliability.

“One predictable thing about China is that if a country does something it finds offensive, it will respond in coercive ways that weaponize supply chains,” he said, noting Canada’s recent experience with Chinese retaliatory tariffs.

In 2024, Beijing imposed tariffs on Canadian agricultural products after Ottawa introduced tariffs on Chinese-made electric vehicles. Canada later agreed to reduce some EV tariffs in exchange for China easing restrictions on agricultural imports.

Sullivan Defends EV Tariffs

Sullivan said he supported Canada’s original decision to impose tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, noting similar policies exist in the United States, the European Union and several other countries.

“I would have kept the tariffs on,” he said, adding that such measures were part of a broader international response to unfair trade practices.

However, Sullivan said it was not his place to second-guess Carney’s decision to pursue a tactical trade agreement with Beijing aimed at reopening Chinese markets to Canadian goods.

As global power dynamics continue to shift, Sullivan said Canada faces the challenge of maintaining its closest alliance while carefully navigating relationships with emerging economic powers.

Source: ctvnews