Trump's policies push allies like Canada and India toward China

A South China Morning Post opinion piece argues that US President Donald Trump's confrontational trade policies are inadvertently driving traditional allies such as Canada and India to strengthen ties with China. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently declared a 'strategic partnership' with Beijing, while India has improved relations with China after years of border tensions. The article notes that dealing with Beijing offers these countries more leverage with the US in addition to economic benefits. This shift would please Chinese President Xi Jinping but alarm Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., and Taiwan's leader William Lai Ching-te, who have been coordinating a united front against Beijing. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's softer tone toward China, despite obligatory warnings about China's military build-up, is seen as notable. The piece also recalls that Canada's previous prime minister, Justin Trudeau, worsened relations with China after the arrest of Huawei CFO Meng Wanzhou at US request, leading to Beijing's detention of two Canadians.