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This arrest was not churlish — like China’s arrest of the two Canadians — but constituted a legally binding requirement under extradition treaties. Canada was obliged to arrest her upon a formal request by the U.S. and hold a hearing into the merits of U.S. charges. The hearing may result in her being freed, or being transported to the States.

China’s measures are excessive and unjust and should be met with commensurate actions. Instead of dithering, the Prime Minister must announce a series of counter measures: the imposition of tariffs on Chinese goods, equivalent to the damage inflicted on Canada’s exports and jailed citizens; a ban preventing Huawei from doing sensitive telecom work; and a revamp of trade policies and financial packages to exporters in order to incentivize businesses to pursue other markets.

Obviously, China is a huge market but it’s not the only game in town. Most countries don’t incarcerate innocent people or unilaterally abrogate contractual obligations.

Besides, Canada has leverage: In 2018, China bought $29 billion worth of exports from Canada,but shipped as much to Canada as it bought, or $46.4 billion, according to Statistics Canada. China, in other words, is more dependent on Canada than the other way around and everything not imported from China can, and should, be imported from countries that respect agreements and the rule of law.

The world is going to divide itself into trading blocs comprised of countries that share values. That’s why Canada’s trade with the U.S. and Europe must be its priority export targets. Some may argue the U.S. is not reliable, given NAFTA irritants, but these are relatively minor family squabbles. China, on the other hand, doesn’t hesitate to mug its trading partners.