Former U.S. Ambassador to Canada David L. Cohen warned in an interview on Wednesday that President Donald Trump's hardline treatment of allies is backfiring by encouraging Canada and other countries to consider "broader and larger deals with China."

Cohen Says Trump Pressure Benefits China

"I think Canada has tentatively tried to play some footsie with China that the Trump administration may not be happy with," said Cohen, who served as President Joe Biden's ambassador from 2021 to 2025, speaking to Fox News Digital.

Cohen said the "irony" of Trump's aggressive approach is that "those policies are pushing those countries to at least consider broader and larger deals with China," calling that outcome inconsistent with a major objective of Trump's trade policy. "There's no doubt" allies are reevaluating potential China deals, he added.

Canada Expands Trade Ties Beyond US

Canada has already deepened economic engagement with Beijing. Global Affairs Canada said Prime Minister Mark Carney's January visit to China helped revive commercial relations, with Ottawa targeting a 50% increase in exports to China by 2030. Beijing subsequently lowered tariffs on Canadian canola and suspended duties on several agricultural and seafood products.

Canada also agreed to admit a fixed quota of Chinese EVs at lower tariff rates while pursuing Chinese joint-venture investment, according to Canadian government documents. Ottawa framed the move as part of its push to diversify beyond the U.S.

That shift comes after U.S.-Canada trade talks collapsed and Washington imposed additional 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods and retaliatory Canadian tariffs. Carney blamed last-minute U.S. demands, including proposed limits on Canada's ability to pursue future trade deals.

Cohen Calls For Professional Negotiators Again

Cohen did not absolve Canada. He called its dairy restrictions "one of the totally legitimate trade issues" hurting American farmers and acknowledged the Biden administration failed to resolve them.

He also praised Trump's original USMCA, calling it a "terrific deal" and "much better" than NAFTA, while criticizing Trump's negotiating style. Cohen argued professional negotiators should take over, praising U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer but saying Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick "is not a professional negotiator."

"You can't make a deal if you're not talking to each other," Cohen said. "Of that, I am 100% certain."