And here's the thing - he was absolutely right.

While Americans obsessed over culture wars and division, China was quietly becoming the world's economic superpower. Trump's small-minded, tribal, protectionist, isolationist, and openly racist "America First" policies accelerated a decline that was already in motion.

Now? Canada just put its foot on the gas.

Last week, Prime Minister Mark Carney signed what he called a landmark agreement with China. 

China will slash tariffs on Canadian canola seed from 85% to 15%. They’ll also drop tariffs on Canadian canola meal, lobsters, crabs, and peas.

In return, Canada will allow 49,000 Chinese-made electric vehicles into our market at a 6.1% tariff, down from the current 100%. It’s expected that within 5 years, the import price of EV’s from China will be less than $35,000. The current average cost of a new EV car in Canada is just under $67,000.

The two leaders also discussed increasing two-way investment in clean energy and technology, agri-food, wood products, and other sectors.

China is already the second-largest single-country trading partner to Canada. And Carney’s government says this new deal, “...will help unlock nearly $3 billion in export orders for Canadian workers and businesses as they realize the full potential of the massive Chinese market of 1.4 billion people.”

Carney has also set an ambitious goal to increase exports to China by 50% by 2030. 

When the prime minister talks about boosting Canada’s trade with China, he's talking about our jobs, our livelihoods, our communities. The question isn't whether this transition will happen; it's already happening. The question is: Will we be positioned to benefit, or will we be left behind? Again.

History has taught us that when the economic table gets reset, Black folks are usually the last ones offered a seat, if we're invited at all.

This time needs to be different.

If you’re an entrepreneur or business-minded person, you should be paying attention. 

China is the world's second-largest economy, contributing one-third of global growth. The country has focused on expansionist economic growth through technology, clean energy, and related industries.

Collaboration with China also gives us access to advanced technology in areas where they excel. Take high-speed rail - Canada is planning its own HSR system, and China is a global leader in this space.

Is China the perfect partner? Nope. Anti-Black racism in China is real, it's documented, and it's something any Black Canadian worker or entrepreneur engaging with Chinese partners needs to be aware of.

At the same time, let's be honest about something else: We face anti-Black racism right here in Canada every single day. So the question isn't whether China is perfect, it's whether this economic shift creates opportunities we can leverage despite the challenges.

As we watch this landmark power shift unfold, we should be contemplating how to align ourselves to participate and prosper, or face being left behind.

First, recognize the reality of this moment. This is not the left-of-centre Trudeau Liberal government. The Carney government sits firmly in the centre, and it's all about business. No handouts. No apologies.

That means Black entrepreneurs need to focus on where we are now and develop bold, differentiating strategies to thrive in changing environments.

If you own a business, are there import/export opportunities in the Chinese market for you? Can you position yourself as a bridge between Canadian and Chinese consumers? The new trade routes being established aren't just for massive corporations - there's room for us if we're strategic.

For those of us in manufacturing, this is the time to demand transparency about transition programs. Organize. Make noise. Make sure Black workers aren't the casualties of this shift, the way we've been casualties of every other economic transition in this country's history. The new economy should include us, not discard us.

And if you're young, considering your career path, pay attention to Green energy, EV technology, high-speed rail, and clean tech - these are the growth sectors. Get trained. Get positioned. 

Our community leaders need to push harder for representation in policy-making. If we're not at the table where these decisions are made, we know exactly where we'll end up - on the menu.

This geopolitical shift is happening whether we're paying attention or not. We cannot afford to be passive recipients of change. Not again.

We can't afford to wait for invitations that may never come.

The new world order is coming. The only question is whether Black Canada will help build it, or be buried by it.

The choice, as always, is ours.