Dozens of experts are urging Canada to choose a surgical, sector-by-sector approach when it comes to expanding its trading relationship with China rather than a sweeping free trade deal that could risk provoking the United States, says a new report.

The Public Policy Forum paper, released Thursday, lays out a suggested blueprint for Canadian policy-makers at a time when Ottawa has struggled in its efforts to deepen business ties with the Asian superpower.

The study will also arrive after Canada recently agreed to a free trade pact with the U.S. and Mexico, a deal that includes a controversial new clause requiring the countries to notify each other if they enter into trade talks with a "non-market" economy.

The clause makes no specific mention of China, but the provision is being widely viewed as an attempt by Washington to single out Beijing...

This has been excerpted from the 10 October 2018 edition of CBC News.