Canada set to become strategic partner with ASEAN trading bloc
globalnews.caCanada’s status within the Indo-Pacific region is set to get a boost as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations prepares to make Ottawa its latest strategic partner when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits Indonesia.
The move by the organization is a symbolic gesture that recognizes Canada’s expanded presence in the region and reflects the progress being made on a Canada-ASEAN free-trade agreement.
The partnership will be ratified when Trudeau is in Jakarta on Tuesday and Wednesday alongside Trade Minister Mary Ng.
Trudeau left Ottawa Sunday evening with his son Xavier.
During his visit, he will meet with Indonesian President Joko Widodo to discuss fighting climate change, food security and advancing economic ties – part of which includes energy production and trade.
The launch of the ASEAN-Canada strategic partnership will take place on Wednesday, with Trudeau also expected to deliver remarks.
“The ASEAN believes engagement with Canada is much deeper than it perhaps used to be,” Wayne Farmer, president of the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, said in an interview from Jakarta, Indonesia.
“We trading more, we’re engaging more, and it’s a good thing to see for us. It’s another little incremental step in the right direction.”
The ASEAN bloc, consisting of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, has been strengthening its ties to Canada for years.
Despite not being a strategic partner up until this visit, the bloc began negotiating a free trade agreement with Canada in 2021. Farmer, who is involved in those discussions, said talks are progressing well.
Another round of negotiations is expected later this month, with parties agreeing to finalize a deal
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