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Such a proposed “prisoner swap” would set a precedent Canada would end up regretting, sending an unmistakable signal that Canadians are fair game for hostage-taking whenever a citizen or the interests of a foreign power like China face court proceedings here. It would also undermine the existing extradition process with the United States and come at a political price in terms of Canada’s relations with Washington.

Manley may well be right to worry that Meng’s liberation could happen while the two Michaels remain incarcerated. But the Chinese have repeatedly said (even while denying there is any direct linkage between the Canadians’ arrests and Meng’s detention) that the problems in Canada-China relations will disappear if Canada “reflects on its mistakes” and releases Meng. China won’t make the distinction between a court-ordered release and one imposed by the government but any rule of law country will understand the principles at stake.

What if it the court upholds extradition? Meng presumably would appeal and this will drag out the process. In the meantime, the Canadian hostages will be languishing in jail. There’s no doubt a deal is tempting. An exchange would get them out early, which would bring great relief to their loved ones, and have the additional benefit for the business community (of which Manley is a leading member) of helping restore normal Canada-China commercial relations.

But this all comes back to first principles. Should Canada do a deal with China and resort to a “prisoner exchange?” The answer has to be no. Are there other ways to advocate for the Canadian hostages? Yes, although the results may not be as immediate. International pressure on China to stop using hostage-taking as a retaliatory measure is important.

However seductive it may be to make the current Canada-China standoff disappear by waving the magic wand of a “deal,” we are bound by our values, treaty obligations and long-term interests not to resort to tactics of this nature. Canada should continue to press hard for the release of the two Michaels, using every possible avenue except giving in to blackmail and paying ransom.

Hugh Stephens, a former diplomat and businessman, is an Executive Fellow with The School of Public Policy.