China

Canada's Trudeau Visits South Korea

MAY 16 2023·Updated MAY 17 2023

Story

Image credit: AP [via CBC]

The Facts

Canadian PM Justin Trudeau arrived in Seoul for his first official visit to South Korea on Tuesday, with China and economic security set to top the agenda. Trudeau is to meet with South Korean Pres. Yoon Suk-yeol, as Canada's Foreign Affairs and Innovation ministers will also meet with their South Korean counterparts.
CBC
Trudeau is scheduled to address the National Assembly on Wednesday, and to take part in Korean War commemorations. Discussions will include a youth mobility program between the two nations, encouraging economic investment in Canada, and increasing South Korean imports of Canadian natural gas and minerals.
The Globe and Mail
Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has stated she hopes the two nations could become the "best of friends." Lim Woongsoon, South Korea's ambassador to Canada, stated that overreliance on Chinese supply chains was a concern in South Korea, suggesting energy and trade would be a primary focus.
CTVNews
China looms large over the trip as the two nations get set to further strengthen security ties, including via an intelligence sharing program. China and Canada have recently expelled diplomats in a tit-for-tat manner, with Beijing recently rebuking Yoon for his comments on Taiwan.
Reuters
The Canadian delegation is also hoping to meet with Korean business leaders, who are crucial to restarting the construction of an LG battery factory in Canada previously halted because, LG claimed, of a lack of financial support from the government.
CBC
Trudeau is scheduled to remain in South Korea until the end of the week, when he and Yoon will both head to Japan for the G-7 summit.
The Associated Press

Sources Split

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The Spin

Anti-China narrative

China's increasingly antagonistic actions on the world stage are driving away once reliable trading partners. As part of Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy, the middle power is pivoting away from their reliance on China towards other East- and South- Asian nations. Trudeau is making this geopolitical intention a reality, as a warm welcome in South Korea shows that fealty to China is not required to cultivate fruitful and meaningful ties in the region.

Thestar.Com

Pro-China narrative

Canada and the G-7 are blindly following the lead of America instead of doing what is best for their citizens. Their wanton anti-China crusade is being shoehorned into benign trade negotiations to the detriment of us all. South Korea should remember who their most important trading ally is, and refuse to take part in any needless provocations that put their economic security at risk.

Global Times