{"id":64668,"date":"2017-01-26T00:53:53","date_gmt":"2017-01-26T00:53:53","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/?p=64668"},"modified":"2017-01-26T00:53:53","modified_gmt":"2017-01-26T00:53:53","slug":"canada-can-manage-relationships-with-china-and-u-s-at-same-time-says-john-mccallum","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usa.timesofnews.com\/breaking-news\/political\/canada-can-manage-relationships-with-china-and-u-s-at-same-time-says-john-mccallum.html","title":{"rendered":"Canada can manage relationships with China and U.S. at same time, says John McCallum"},"content":{"rendered":"

Canada’s new ambassador to China says this country can “walk and chew gum at the same time,”\u00a0by establishing friendly relationships with U.S. President Donald Trump while at the same time maintaining healthy relations with the Chinese leadership. \u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Former immigration minister John McCallum\u00a0made the remarks in an interview with CBC Radio’s\u00a0The House <\/em>airing this Saturday.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

McCallum is heading to China at the same time as\u00a0Canada begins exploratory talks on a free trade deal with the country. The beginning of those talks\u00a0are set against a backdrop of rising tensions between the U.S.\u00a0and China as Trump threatens to levy tariffs on Chinese imports.<\/p>\n

Asked by host Chris Hall if Canada risks getting caught up in a tug of war between the two economic superpowers, McCallum\u00a0expressed optimism.\u00a0<\/p>\n

“As I say we can walk and chew gum at the same time,” McCallum said. “The United States relationship\u00a0is by far and away the most important, and the prime minister is actively pursuing that along with his cabinet, but meanwhile over in China, I am pursuing Canadian interests and values and I believe there is great scope there.”<\/span><\/p>\n