14
Jan
Beijing/Ottawa (Rajeev Sharma): As Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in China on Wednesday, Beijing signalled hopes of drawing the long-time US ally slightly away from Washington, amid growing strains between Canada and the United States. Chinese state media used the visit to call on Ottawa to pursue an independent foreign policy course, describing it as “strategic autonomy” from the US. Canada has traditionally been one of America’s closest allies, but China appears to be betting that US President Donald Trump’s aggressive economic policies—and recent military actions—could weaken that relationship. Beijing had earlier expressed frustration with former US President Joe…