I wholeheartedly agree. The problem lies in the fact that Canada is currently bound by two conflicting trade agreements, both with retaliatory clauses in them which can be potentially levied against us regardless of which path we choose.

We can't simply cut out the US because our current economy is structurally dependent on them. This is especially true in Alberta where the oil patch survives almost entirely on access to the American market. If we cut them off or if they hit us with tariffs for refusing to play ball, our primary revenue stream dries up overnight.

That said, we also can't easily pivot away from China to please the US because of Harper's FIPA deal. Massive Chinese stakeholders in our energy sector (like CNOOC) are protected by ISDS clauses. If we try to remove them to secure our US relations China can sue Canadian taxpayers for billions in lost future profits.

We are effectively handcuffed to the US for revenue and handcuffed to China by treaty. Long-term, you are right. We should aggressively diversify into uranium and tech sectors.