cross-posted from: https://scribe.disroot.org/post/11924601
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Ottawa should be mindful of the risks of deepening trade with China because Beijing could leverage it for economic coercion in the future, says a prominent Tokyo-based academic on a Canadian speaking tour, sponsored by Japan’s government.
Kazuto Suzuki is a professor at the University of Tokyo’s Graduate School of Public Policy and a member of the government’s Council for Japan’s Growth Strategy, which aims to strengthen economic security.
“If you increase dependency on China, be careful, be aware of the risks that China could use that as a weapon against you,” Prof. Suzuki said in an interview Thursday.
He was speaking of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s efforts to attract Chinese investment and boost trade with Beijing. Mr. Carney and Chinese President Xi Jinping are expected to meet next month at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Shenzhen and talk about next steps in a “strategic partnership” struck this year.
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Prof. Suzuki is delivering presentations in Toronto, Ottawa and Calgary addressing the similar challenges facing Canada and Japan – both of which are trying to reduce dependence on a major foreign market. Canada is trying to lessen reliance on the increasing protectionist and unpredictable United States under Donald Trump and Japan is undertaking to reduce dependence on China for strategic goods.
“Interdependence can hurt you. That is the reality today,” he said. “So we have to be prepared because the rules do not protect us.”
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Relations between Japan and China have fallen to their lowest point in about 15 years. Beijing has imposed trade restrictions and export controls on Japan, effectively cutting off shipments of key rare earth minerals used in electric-vehicle magnets, protective coatings and other high-tech products.
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Still, Prof. Suzuki said, Mr. Carney’s message would have more impact in Asia if the Prime Minister spent more time focusing on the region.
“I think he [Carney] has more interest in doing business with Europe, and he hasn’t paid much attention to Asia, and if he’s serious about the middle power coalition, there are lots of middle powers in Asia,” he said.
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Prof. Suzuki proposes Canada and Japan co-operate to form a coalition of the “rule-based order.” He said the 12-country Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), of which Canada and Japan are both members, is a good vehicle and should be expanded to create a secure and reliable supply chain for its signatories from Southeast Asia to Canada, Mexico and South America.
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Japan doesnt have the standing to lecture anyone in how to treat china.
I’m sure Japan would prefer that. Of course, we have priorities besides satisfying Japan.
Ah yes Japan, the paragon of moral superiority!
Is the academic speaking as a representative of Japan, or are you making him one? I can’t read the paywalled article. Looks like he’s just an ‘expert’ with an opinion. If it’s blindly capitalist and doesn’t include debatable geopolitical analysis, address that.
Are you kneejerking because you are playing team sports? I suggest you improve your public discourse to avoid essentialism, it will build better arguments and be more convincing.
There’s a link to the archived article - OP added most of the article text in the body of the post.
He’s on a government sponsored tour and is on the government council of Japan’s Growth Strategy. So seems to be coming from a position of authority (at least on governmental stance and messaging), but this is closer to soft-power than direct 1:1 diplomacy with government officials.
It seems like it would take something completely crazy, maybe like – I dunno – their biggest trading partner going batshit crazy with policies that are utterly unpredictable apart from being very bad economically and morally, for Canada to take the risks inherent in consciously building closer ties with an authoritarian bully like China.
bully
lolll.
