Canadian Parliamentary Delegation Meets With Taiwan’s President for Trade and Security Talks

Taiwan's President Tsai Ing-wen speaks during a press conference on the seventh anniversary of her tenure, at the Presidential Office in Taipei on May 20, 2023. (Sam Yeh/AFP via Getty Images)

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.

This is the second Canadian parliamentary delegation to visit Taiwan this year. A 10-member delegation, led by Liberal MP John McKay, travelled to Taiwan in April, signalling the resumption of the long-standing parliamentary exchanges between the two after the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

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.

On June 30, the regime flew 24 warplanes, including fighter jets and bombers, near the island after the United States announced approval of two potential arms sales to Taiwan. In early April, the Chinese military simulated an encirclement of the island, deploying up to 91 warplanes and 12 naval vessels at one point.

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.”

She also thanked the leaders of Canada and other countries for issuing a joint statement at the Group of Seven summit in May that called for upholding security in the region.

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.

Notably, Mr. Cooper, a member of the delegation, recently introduced new legislation, Bill C-343, in the House of Commons on June 15, aimed at enhancing Canada–Taiwan ties and underlining the economic advantages for Canada in deepening its relationship with Taiwan, given the island’s significant role as a major producer of critical high-tech products like semiconductors.