Commentary
As Canada navigates a shifting geopolitical landscape shaped by trade tensions, great power rivalry, and mounting hybrid threats, a pressing question looms: Should Canada decouple from authoritarian regimes, particularly China, or pursue a policy of strategic derisking? The answer will define our national security, economic sovereignty, and credibility among democratic allies.
The terms “decoupling” and “derisking” have become increasingly prominent in Western political discourse, especially since the European Commission’s 2023 articulation of “de-risking” as the preferred alternative to U.S.-style decoupling. At first glance, they may appear similar, but their implications for Canada—economically, diplomatically, and strategically—are vastly different….