Just over a year ago, Canada stepped onto a landmine by arresting the CFO of a Chinese technology company at the behest of U.S. authorities. Certain clueless government leaders claimed rule of law and kept harping on this point. In the year since, the resulting chill in relations with Chin has costed Canada over $4 billion in exports to China and a lot of distress in the agricultural sector (which is o.k. as the farmers by and large do not elect the ruling party). It has also resulted in two persons being arrested and held by Chinese authorities.
No quick and tidy resolution caught between two powers. Extradition of the Chinese national to the U.S. will in all likelihood mean a lifetime between Chinese prison bars for the two Canadian persons. No friends.
While the case runs its way through the courts (the government minister in charge had the option to stop extradition proceedings), I am sure senior government are hoping a coup or something that renders the U.S. as a non-"rule of law" country is the escape card.
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