Under no circumstances should Canada’s response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff war include expanding economic ties with the People’s Republic of China. There is no political or moral gain to be had from that, and any short-term economic gain could have disastrous consequences in the long run.

In the Globe and Mail, columnist Lawrence Martin suggested that China would be a willing partner when it comes to expanding Canada’s international trade. With all due respect to Martin, this mentality towards China should be left in the dust.