Beijing noticed when Canada “stood firm” on the position that its relations with third countries were a matter of national sovereignty.
Walking away from the negotiating table, Canada said that the US had introduced, among other measures, efforts to restrict its authority to make independent trade agreements.
“This is clearly a reference to China,” said John Gong, a professor at the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.
“This is certainly beneficial for China-Canada trade,” Gong added, noting that China could, for example, purchase more oil from Canada.