VANCOUVER—The federal government has been quietly working on an Indo-Pacific strategy — perhaps since last year — and one critic says the tight-lipped approach raises questions about the plan’s progress. The same year Canada’s combined exports to top Indo-Pacific countries India and Japan totalled $18 billion while imports from those nations hit $17 billion. Global Affairs spokesperson Angela Savard said Canada is engaging in an Indo-Pacific strategy and it will be supported by the country’s participation in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Now, Burton said, Canada should look at the rest of the countries in the Indo-Pacific region to forge trade and security relations as a “common front” to counter China’s influence. He said trade with Indo-Pacific countries could eventually surpass trade with China and lead to more reciprocity and fair trade between Canada and its partner nations.

Source: thestar September 03, 2020 21:11 UTC