Canada Builds Momentum in Indo-Pacific as Carney Speaks with Leaders of Indonesia and China
Ottawa steps up international diplomacy amid trade, security, and opioid concerns
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney capped a busy week of international outreach with high-level calls to leaders of two major Indo-Pacific nations, as Canada works to reassert itself as a reliable partner in the region.
On June 5, Carney held separate discussions with President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia and Premier Li Qiang of China, focusing on trade, security, and international co-operation. The conversations come just ahead of the G7 Summit in Alberta and signal Canada’s intent to build deeper economic and diplomatic ties across the Pacific.
Indonesia: A Reliable Regional Partner
In his conversation with President Prabowo, Prime Minister Carney emphasized Canada’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific Strategy, highlighting the country’s role as a reliable partner to both Indonesia and ASEAN.
The two leaders discussed expanding defence and trade co-operation, with both sides agreeing to stay in close contact.
This marks one of Carney’s first formal engagements with President Subianto since Indonesia’s recent leadership transition and sets the tone for an increasingly strategic Canada-Indonesia relationship.
China: Trade and the Opioid Crisis Top Agenda
In a second call the same day, Carney and China’s Premier Li Qiang discussed ongoing trade tensions and public health concerns, particularly around fentanyl.
Carney raised long-standing Canadian concerns over trade barriers affecting canola, seafood, and other agri-food exports, urging swift progress through the Joint Economic and Trade Commission (JETC) — a bilateral platform set to reconvene soon.
Both sides acknowledged the need for improved dialogue and welcomed this week’s meeting between their trade ministers. The leaders also agreed to “regularize channels of communication” between Canada and China after years of diplomatic chill.
Importantly, the leaders noted recent bilateral engagement on fentanyl and opioid trafficking, with both governments committing to increased collaboration to address the crisis that has devastated communities in Canada and beyond.
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