Canada Releases Indo-Pacific Trade And Economic Strategy

In late November, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly unveiled a strategy for the country to strengthen the its position relative to China. In its announcement, the Canadian government referred to China as “an increasingly disruptive global power.” The Indo-Pacific Strategy is meant to “advance and defend Canada’s interests by supporting a more secure, prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable region while protecting Canada’s national and economic security at home and abroad.”

The program concentrates on expanding trade, addressing climate change, and supporting human rights in the Indo-Pacific region. Among its efforts to expand trade, Canada will:

• Launch a Canadian Trade Gateway in Southeast Asia to expand Canada’s business and investment engagement, and networks in the region;
• Appoint a new Canadian Indo-Pacific Trade Representative; and
• Provide greater support for Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises, innovators, and national industry associations that are pursuing new trade and investment opportunities in the Indo-Pacific.

To enhance rules-based trade, Canada will:

• Ensure the Trade Commissioner Service provides expert advice on China’s market while promoting export diversification across the region;
• Strengthen Canadian economic security in reinforcing the Investment Canada Act;
• Continue to work with like-minded partners in the region to counter economic coercion and non-market practices; and
• Provide greater technical assistance to Indo-Pacific trading partners to improve enforcement of labor provisions that are in current and future free trade agreements with Canada.

To ensure the resilience of supply chains, Canada will:

• Continue to make significant investments in domestic transportation infrastructure;
• Advance shared interests in supply chain resilience with partners;
• Contribute to global supply chain resilience and sustainability by engaging in technical, policy and high-level cooperation; and
• Position Canada to be a reliable supplier of clean energy in the region.