A delegation of Canadian MPs who travelled to Taiwan met with President Tsai Ing-wen on July 6 and discussed strengthening trade and security partnerships between the two nations.
Ms. Tsai welcomed the parliamentary delegation, led by Conservative MP Melissa Lantsman, the party’s deputy leader, at the Taiwan Presidential Office.
Other members of the delegation included Conservative MPs Michael Cooper, Kyle Seeback, Michael Barrett, and Garnett Genuis; Liberal MP Chandra Arya; and Bloc Québécois MPs Marie-Helene Gaudreau and Marilene Gill. The delegation was accompanied by the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei Executive Director Jim Nickel.
Ms. Tsai expressed gratitude toward Canada for its efforts to enhance relations with Taiwan, particularly at a time when Beijing has intensified threats against the self-governing democratic island. The Chinese regime has made arbitrary territorial claims over Taiwan and conducted numerous military drills near the island that have escalated tensions in the region.
Canada has adopted a tougher position toward Beijing, describing the communist regime as “an increasingly disruptive global power” in the Indo-Pacific Strategy, released in January.
“In its new Indo-Pacific Strategy, Canada further demonstrated its concern over peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait and stated that it will continue to enhance its partnership with Taiwan,” Ms. Tsai said. “I once again thank Canada for its support for Taiwan.”
Partnership
As Taiwan is Canada’s sixth-largest trading partner in Asia, Ms. Tsai expressed hope for increased bilateral trade and economic cooperation. She highlighted the ongoing negotiations for a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement between Canada and Taiwan, aiming to enhance supply chain resilience and exchange.Additionally, Ms. Tsai urged Canada to support Taiwan’s bid to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a trade agreement involving 11 Pacific region countries. The Canadian MPs expressed their support for Taiwan’s participation in international forums such as the World Health Organization, World Health Assembly, and International Civil Aviation Organization.