Ottawa has finished negotiating a trade deal with Indonesia and is proposing nuclear energy cooperation with Southeast Asian leaders.
The move is a sign of faith in multilateralism, at a time when there are growing concerns that the re-election of U.S. President Donald Trump will further strain global cooperation on trade and the environment.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto held bilateral talks on Friday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in Lima. They announced the end of trade negotiations that will lead to Canada signing a new agreement with the world’s fourth-most populous country next year.
This comes as President Trump’s imminent return to the White House looms over discussions of the APEC group, which aims to improve trade between Pacific Rim countries.
After becoming president, Trump withdrew from many multilateral agreements, including the Paris climate accord and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) trade agreement. Half of APEC countries are members of the CPTPP.
President Trump has also pledged to impose a flat import tax of at least 10% on all goods imported into the United States, which has caused major concerns among U.S. trading partners, and Lima leaders. It is a frequent topic of discussion at meetings. .
“APEC is meeting in a context of rising protectionism, intense geopolitical competition, uncertain economic growth, and the election of President Trump,” said Bina Najibullah, research vice president at the Asia Pacific Foundation. said.
He said Trudeau is pushing to maintain rules-based trade, especially with like-minded countries, “which is critical to our prosperity.”
Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly told reporters in Lima on Friday that Trump’s return has actually increased Canada’s influence in the world.
“If there’s any country in the world that understands the United States, it’s Canada,” she said. “That’s why so many delegations, so many countries are coming to see us and asking how we and they can adapt.”
Jolie also acknowledged that she expects President Trump to visit Canada next year when the G7 summit is held in Kananaskis, Alta.
She said she is still working to get things done before President Trump takes office. She met with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Lima on Thursday night. The two discussed getting a new Columbia River Treaty across the finish line before the current administration leaves office.
The agreement governing how the two countries manage and share resources along the Columbia River, and comments by Trump’s campaign that he would rely on Canada to solve water issues in the western United States, have raised questions about how he approaches the issue. Concerns have been raised about how to address the issue.
John Kirton, head of the G20 study group, said he expects Prime Minister Trudeau and a number of leaders to hold informal talks between the two leaders to consider how to navigate President-elect Trump’s term in office. He said there was.
“Prime Minister Trudeau will be in a relatively privileged position because he’s been with Donald Trump at summits, we’re neighbors, we’re a frontline nation,” he said. ” he said.
Mr Najibullah said Mr Trump’s re-election would likely mean a reduction in the US role in multilateral institutions and in the fight against climate change, and an increase in tensions with China over trade, tariffs and technology. .
Prime Minister Trudeau and Canada did not have a good relationship with the Trump administration for the first time, but the two sides concluded a deal to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement. The Liberal Party government is making efforts to continue to maintain a strong relationship, relying on its experience in dealing with President Trump.
Canada is also working to offset China’s influence in Asia with a new Indo-Pacific strategy to be announced in 2022.
Subianto, who announced the end of trade negotiations with Trudeau on Friday, praised Canada as a partner in everything from sustainable fishing to artificial intelligence. He said the agreement should advance digital trade and renewable energy.
Indonesia is a rapidly growing economy supported by a population of 280 million people, the majority of whom are young people. The country is seeking to reduce high carbon emissions to address threatened biodiversity.
Also on Tuesday, Prime Minister Trudeau told business executives that Canada is considering partnering in nuclear energy in Southeast Asia, especially as the country expresses concerns about the large amounts of energy needed to power artificial intelligence. he said.
Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, released by the Liberal Party two years ago, did not directly mention nuclear power.
But now Prime Minister Trudeau is saying Canada will not only use its “trade gateway” initiative to connect businesses, but also how to create viable markets for nuclear products and properly train talent. He said it would also contribute to expanding local knowledge about nuclear technology.
Ottawa will also “identify opportunities to supply Canada’s broader nuclear industry with products and services that support Canadian and regional goals,” Trudeau’s office said in a statement.
Jolie also spoke with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday to discuss air transport and cooperation between Canada and China in the fight against the fentanyl trade. He also said he had discussed Canada’s public inquiry into foreign interference with him and sent a “clear message to China that we will never accept foreign interference.”
Canadian officials say Trudeau could meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Lima for APEC or over the weekend at the G20 summit, whether in a formal sit-down or informal hallway chat. I have remained silent about sexuality. Brazil.
