National

Trudeau to visit Indonesia, Singapore and India next week as Canada seeks trade deals

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 30 Aug, 2023 10:57 AM

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is headed to Asia next week for a whirlwind tour of Indonesia, Singapore and India.

The trip involves the G20 leaders' summit in New Delhi, and a focus on economic ties in booming regions of Southeast Asia, as Canada seeks alternatives to a rising China.

In Jakarta, Trudeau will attend a meeting of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, where the group of 10 countries that will ratify a strategic-partnership agreement with Canada.

The next stop in Singapore will involve meeting with the city-state's head of government and business leaders to promote investment in Canada and Canadian exports.

Trudeau will then attend the G20 summit where he plans to focus on collaboration on climate change, reforming international finance for poorer states and energy security.

A news release suggests Trudeau is slated to spend just two days in each country, with a focus on boosting trade and affordability.

Ottawa is in negotiations for separate trade agreements with India, Indonesia and also ASEAN as a bloc.

At the G20, the Liberals say Trudeau will advocate for Russia to withdraw from Ukraine, yet many members of the Group of 20 have opted against criticizing Moscow.

"Working collaboratively to tackle global crises while holding Russia accountable is essential to maintaining the integrity and effectiveness of the G20," a Wednesday news release from Trudeau's office says.

The summit's host, India, has been reluctant to discuss the issue in other G20 events this year, and declined request from countries like Canada to have Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy attend the summit.

The Liberals are framing the trip around their Indo-Pacific strategy, which they released in November 2022 with the goal of seeking closer economic and defence ties with countries other than China.

Trade Minister Mary Ng is set to accompany Trudeau on the Indonesia and Singapore legs of his trip, but not in India.

That’s a wrap on the G20 Trade and Investment Ministers Meeting in India!

Gatherings like these are an opportunity for us to take stock of our shared priorities and address the challenges facing trade today. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/WWgoZtEDd0
— Mary Ng (@mary_ng) August 27, 2023

While here, I also met with business leaders at the Business 20 (B20) in Delhi. From clean tech innovators, to manufacturers, to chambers of commerce, to investment experts and many more, these businesses bring our trade agreements to life. (3/4) pic.twitter.com/2AHC27XiI6
— Mary Ng (@mary_ng) August 27, 2023

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

South Asian community health workers welcome new alcohol guide

"Given the uniquely high risk of alcohol use issues and morbidity among South Asians, it is clear that a more focused and nuanced understanding of (alcohol use disorder) treatment in this (population) is necessary," says the review, which notes no North American studies focus specifically on South Asians in alcohol treatment settings.

South Asian community health workers welcome new alcohol guide

Nearly 500 B.C. staff hit by Canfor restructuring

The Chetwynd closure is expected in April or May and the announcement came just two days after the mill reopened following a holiday curtailment, but a company statement says Canfor is "committed to supporting displaced employees," and where possible, it says they will top the list for hiring at other mills.

Nearly 500 B.C. staff hit by Canfor restructuring

COVID-19 misinformation cost Canadian lives: study

The study suggests that the belief that COVID-19 was a "hoax or exaggerated" led to 2.35 million people delaying or refusing to get the vaccine between March and November of 2021. The study also didn't include estimated "indirect costs and the ripple costs," he says, such as delayed elective surgeries and treating long-COVID cases.

COVID-19 misinformation cost Canadian lives: study

Impersonators behind 32 home frauds in Ont., B.C.

Mortgage and title fraudsters who impersonate homeowners and tenants have targeted at least 32 properties in Ontario and British Columbia, investigators and official warnings suggest. Insurance investigator Brian King, president and CEO of King International Advisory Group, said his firm had received 30 such claims in Ontario.

Impersonators behind 32 home frauds in Ont., B.C.

Union wants national transit safety task force

A task force should consider whether de-escalation training, harsher penalties, increased mental health funding, better housing supports and greater police presence could help prevent violence on transit. The call for a task force came after a number of violent attacks targeting workers and riders on the Toronto Transit Commission.

Union wants national transit safety task force

U.S., Canada unveil details of new Nexus scheme

The biggest change, to take effect in the spring, will allow U.S. border agents to interview Nexus applicants at select Canadian airports before boarding a U.S.-bound flight. That will happen only after applicants take part in a separate, appointment-only interview with Canadian agents at a Nexus airport enrolment centre.