Canada needs to continue its presence in Southeast Asia: Trudeau – National
Canada needs to continue its presence in Southeast Asia if it wants to benefit from the region’s economic development, said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday as he wrapped up his visit to Laos.
Trudeau participated in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit this week, marking his third time attending the annual meeting.
The prime minister said that pursuing ties with ASEAN members is not about political views or leaving a trail of government, but about acknowledging the economic opportunities in the region.
But to take advantage of what Southeast Asia has to offer, Trudeau said Canadians need to make their presence felt in the region.
“That’s a really big challenge, we’re making sure we show up,” Trudeau said at a press conference on Friday.
“Emerging as a leader, yes, but more importantly, emerging as businesses in trade activities, building that connection, investing in maritime security and defense presence, making more money in developing embassies and opening trade offices.”
Trudeau announced during the visit that Canada is upgrading its embassies in Vientiane, Laos, and Phnom Penh, Cambodia to become full embassies.
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He also announced $128 million in funding at the conference, with most of the money going towards protecting the environment and fighting climate change.
The visit to Laos comes as Canada works on a free trade agreement with the 10-nation bloc and a separate agreement with Indonesia, which both countries aim to sign by the end of the year.
ASEAN countries together represented Canada’s fourth largest trading partner last year, and trade with the region has nearly doubled since 2015.
The trip also builds on the government’s Indo-Pacific International Cooperation strategy, which lays out a road map for strengthening military and economic ties in the region and countering China’s influence.
Canada’s efforts are part of a larger Western campaign to strengthen economic and political ties with Southeast Asian countries, especially to reduce dependence on Chinese goods.
Countries in the region have their own concerns related to China, including ongoing disputes over the South China Sea.
The ASEAN summit followed a series of violent maritime disputes between China and ASEAN members the Philippines and Vietnam, raising concerns that China’s assertive actions could become a major conflict.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told Southeast Asian leaders at a summit on Friday that the US was concerned about China’s “increasingly dangerous and illegal” activities, and pledged that the US would continue to support freedom of navigation along the vital maritime trade route.
When asked about this increase, Trudeau said Canada wants to see international law respected.
“These are the things we maintain – not just standing on paper, but we show that every time we send a Coast Guard ship or a military ship (of the Canadian Armed Forces) through the South China Sea. It is international water and needs to be open to all navigation,” he said.
– Via files from the Associated Press.
© 2024 The Canadian Press
