To increase its influence in the Indo-Pacific region and counter China's growing dominance, Canada is increasing military spending and trade ties in the Indo-Pacific region as part of a "generational" change in foreign policy.
Canada is boosting military spending and trade ties in the Indo-Pacific region as part of a "generational" change in foreign policy aimed at building stronger ties with Asian allies and countering China's influence.
Foreign Minister Melanie Jolie will release her government's Indo-Pacific strategy on Sunday, which includes spending of about $1.7 billion ($2.3 billion). This includes funding for more naval patrols in the region, intelligence and cyber security, and increased cooperation with regional partners in the East and South China Seas.
The 26-page document, an advance copy of which was seen by Bloomberg, includes a lengthy section on China, which it refers to as an "increasingly disruptive global power". It cites several military, security and economic threats posed by the country. Recognizing the need to work together on issues such as climate change, global health, biodiversity and non-proliferation.
Jolie said in an hour-long interview with Bloomberg News that the world's geopolitical "tectonic plates" are shifting. It is threatening the international norms that have kept the world safe since World War Two, as well as creating supply chain uncertainty and inflation.
"When it comes to China, we know there is a battle for influence in the region," she said. "So we have to step up our game."
foreign intervention
The document says Canada will also tighten its rules around foreign investment and take other steps to protect itself from "foreign interference". Its publication comes a week after Chinese President Xi Jinping clashed with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the G20 meeting in Indonesia. Canadian leader to provide information to media about earlier discussion.
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Jolie told Bloomberg that the encounter did not surprise her, as she had also had "frank conversations" with her Chinese counterpart during diplomacy.
"You saw what we normally do," she said. "You just got a glimpse of political reality." He also said that it would be futile to formulate an Indo-Pacific strategy without addressing the growing influence of China, the "elephant in the room".
Jolie said Canada would increase its diplomatic and business presence to create a more predictable environment for business investment in Asia. It will invest $750 million in sustainable infrastructure projects, which it hopes will attract further capital from Canada's pension funds.
At the same time, increased military cooperation with regional partners will protect the country's Pacific interests, such as alliances with Europe through NATO, and the US has historically protected its Arctic and North Atlantic interests through the North American Aerospace Defense Command. Has it, she said. Canada will invest about half a billion Canadian dollars over five years on advanced defense in the region.
"For a long time we have defined ourselves through our relationship with Europe," Jolie said. "It's time to look to the Pacific."
economic relationship
The strategy includes a section devoted to deepening economic ties with India, and another devoted to Japan and South Korea -- a neighborhood it dubs the North Pacific.
Canada has struggled to diversify its Pacific trading ties beyond China, its second-largest trading partner after the US. Merchandise trade with China totaled C$125.8 billion in the 12 months to September, representing about 8.6% of trade flows, according to Statistics Canada data. This compares to less than 7% from all other major Indo-Pacific countries combined – a proportion that has changed little since 1997, a time when Canada–China trade was minimal.
The strategy has several planks for developing Canada's business ties, including a new series of "Team Canada" trade missions to bring business leaders to Indo-Pacific countries and a new program to enhance Canada's science and research partnerships with the South. includes a $65.1 million program for Korea, India, Japan, Singapore and Taiwan.
The C$750 million infrastructure program is the biggest ticket item in the plan, and forms part of Canada's contribution to the $600 billion Group of Seven infrastructure plan announced earlier this year to counter China's Belt and Road program. Jolie said she met on Thursday with Canada's major pension funds - including the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board and the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec - to begin promoting the plan.
Jolie, who was appointed to the role in October 2021, said she has been tasked with rebuilding Canada's ties with China during Canada's three-year cold snap.
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