The Indo-Pacific region will play an “important and profound role” in the future of the “Pacific nation” that is Canada, It is said in Ottawa. That is why the government of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has adopted an Indo-Pacific strategy. The equivalent of €1.65 billion will be invested in various projects that will strengthen Canada’s involvement in the Indo-Pacific region over the next ten years and deepen relations with more than 40 Pacific countries.
The context for the realignment is the increasingly restrictive attitude of the United States in its economic relations and the growing criticism of free trade. As the latest trade data shows, 68 percent of Canada’s foreign trade goes to its American neighbour, while China takes only seven percent.
Investments also in armaments and cybersecurity
However, China is also seen as problematic in the new strategy. Regarding the People’s Republic, the 26-page strategy document says that rules on foreign investment would be strengthened to protect intellectual property and prevent Chinese companies from accessing domestic natural resources.
China is a “disruptive power,” according to the concept, which is why money from the strategic kitty should also be spent on armaments and cybersecurity. Nevertheless, cooperation with the world’s second-largest economy is necessary to solve problems such as climate change or the restriction of nuclear weapons.
Canada is not exclusive to the idea
In doing so, Canada is joining Western states in their efforts to counter China’s growing economic and military influence in the region. The United States launched an informal association of states this summer to strengthen relations with Pacific island states. The Pacific Blue Partners (PBP) also include Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Britain. They want to advance economic relations between the rest of the world and Pacific states.
rb/fw (Reuters, www.canada.ca)
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