(Bangkok) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced that Canada’s next Indo-Pacific strategy will include new investments to strengthen the role of the Canadian Armed Forces in the region.
During his closing press briefing at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Bangkok, Thailand, Mr. Trudeau explained that an increased presence of the Canadian military in this region will improve security in allied countries such as Japan. and South Korea.
But discussions at the forum were quickly monopolized on Friday by the launch by North Korea of a ballistic missile that fell near Japanese waters.
“We condemn with the strongest intentions the irresponsible acts of North Korea,” said the Prime Minister in a press scrum in front of journalists.
The United States, through its Vice President Kamala Harris, called an emergency meeting with the leaders of Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand and Canada in response to this launch.
According to Mr. Trudeau, the new launches of North Korea must be denounced by everyone, everywhere on the planet.
“We will continue to be there, with our partners, on the level of defense and military operations to ensure that the United Nations sanctions [contre la Corée du Nord] be respected,” said the Prime Minister.
Investment of 183 million
Canada’s participation in the Asia-Pacific economic cooperation forum culminated in a pledge of almost $183 million over five years to strengthen ties with this region, as part of the Indo-Pacific strategy that the Liberal government began to deploy.
Of this amount, $92.5 million will be used to create approximately 60 new jobs, both at Canada’s missions in the region and at Global Affairs Canada.
“This will increase Canada’s presence here on the ground and deepen the important diplomatic relationships we are building,” International Trade Minister Mary Ng said.
And before stepping down to address the issue of the North Korean missile launch, Trudeau announced that Ottawa will spend $13.5 million to set up a team, in Canada and Asia, responsible for forming partnerships energy.
“The Indo-Pacific is the fastest growing economic region in the world. It means a lot of potential for Canada, ”recalled Mr. Trudeau during his press conference, before answering questions from journalists.
The Prime Minister had previously floated the idea of exporting more natural gas to Japan and South Korea, but his office added that he also wanted to trade natural resources with India, Australia, India. Indonesia, Singapore and Taiwan.
Geopolitical context
In other meetings at the forum, Mr. Trudeau also addressed the Russian invasion of Ukraine and stressed the importance of the World Trade Organization in respecting trade rules.
During one of the meetings between the leaders, Mr. Trudeau was seated between the heads of government of Brunei and Chile, as they were listed alphabetically by the English name of each country. This manner of placing the leaders around the table may have avoided another awkward meeting between Mr. Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
President Xi was filmed on Wednesday accusing Trudeau of damaging diplomatic relations between the two countries, as he revealed to the media the outline of a meeting they had in private at the G20 summit.
Trudeau also had lunch with the leaders of the 21-member forum, as well as guests the Thai government has invited, including Saudi Prime Minister Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Asked about his meeting with the Crown Prince, Trudeau said he spoke about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and that Canada needed to work with countries “from all walks of life” to advancing issues like climate change and the economy.
“As always, in these summits, we bring together people from different countries, including countries with which we have significant differences, he recalled. But in each of my meetings, I emphasize the importance of human rights and I represent the perspectives and values of all Canadians. »
Next stop: Tunisia
After stints at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit in Cambodia, the G20 Summit in Indonesia, and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in Thailand, Mr. Trudeau will end his tour of the Indo-Pacific with a stop at the 18 Sommet de la Francophonie, in Tunisia.
The meeting will bring together leaders from countries and regions with large French-speaking populations, to discuss several topics, from economic policy to the use of French in the digital age.
Trudeau is expected to meet with leaders from across Africa, many of whom are concerned about the instability caused by soaring food prices which the Liberals say has been made worse by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. .
The Prime Minister will no doubt also have the opportunity to meet his Quebec counterpart, François Legault, with whom a conversation on health transfers will probably be on the agenda.
Mr. Trudeau is due to return to Ottawa on Monday morning.