The Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that Canada’s Next Indo-Pacific Strategy will include new investments to strengthen the Canadian Forces’ role in the region.

During his final press conference at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in Bangkok, Thailand, Mr. Trudeau stated that an increased Canadian military presence in the region would improve security in allied countries such as Japan and South Korea.

But the discussions in the forum on Friday quickly took over North Korea’s launch of a ballistic missile which fell near the waters of Japan.

“We strongly condemn North Korea’s irresponsible actions,” the prime minister said in a press frenzy to journalists.

The United States, through its Vice President Kamala Harris, has 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, North Korea’s new launches must be denounced by everyone everywhere on the planet.

“We will continue to be there with our partners at the defense and military operations level to ensure United Nations sanctions are respected [contre la Corée du Nord] respected,” said the Prime Minister.

Investment of 183 million

Canada’s participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum culminated in a pledge of nearly $183 million over five years to strengthen ties with the region as part of the Indo-Pacific strategy that the Liberal government began implementing.

Of that amount, $92.5 million will be used to create approximately 60 new jobs at both Canadian offices in the region and Global Affairs Canada.

“This will increase Canada’s presence here on the ground and deepen the important diplomatic ties we are establishing,” International Trade Minister Mary Ng said.

And before stepping down to address the issue of the North Korean missile launch, Trudeau announced Ottawa will spend $13.5 million to establish a team in Canada and Asia responsible for forming energy partnerships.

“The Indo-Pacific is the fastest growing economic region in the world. It means a lot of potential for Canada,” Mr. Trudeau recalled 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 wants 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 emphasized the importance of the World Trade Organization in ensuring trade rules are upheld.

During one of the meetings between the leaders, Mr. Trudeau sat between the heads of government of Brunei and Chile as they were listed alphabetically by each country’s English name. This way of putting leaders around the table might have avoided another awkward meeting between Mr Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

President Xi was filmed on Wednesday Accusing Mr Trudeau of damaging diplomatic relations between the two countrieswhen he revealed to the media the outline of a meeting they had privately at the G20 summit.

Trudeau also ate with the leaders of the 21-member forum, as well as guests invited by the Thai government, including Saudi Prime Minister Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

When asked about his meeting with the crown prince, Trudeau said he spoke about Saudi Arabia’s human rights record and that Canada needs to work with countries “from all walks of life” to advance issues like climate change and the economy.

“As always, at these summits we bring together people from different countries, including countries with which we have significant differences,” he recalled. But at every meeting I meet, I emphasize the importance of human rights and represent the perspectives and values ​​of all Canadians. »

Next stop: Tunisia

After stops 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 conclude his journey through the Indo-Pacific Stop at 6pm^e Francophonie Summit, Tunisia.

The meeting brings together leaders from countries and regions with a large French-speaking population to discuss a range of topics, from economic policies 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 instability caused by soaring food prices, which Liberals say have been exacerbated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

The Prime Minister will no doubt also have the opportunity to meet his Quebec counterpart, Francois Legaultwith whom a discussion about health transfers will probably be on the agenda.

Mr. Trudeau is scheduled to return to Ottawa on Monday morning.

To see in the video