Canada Gets Upgraded ASEAN Status, Seeks Stronger Presence in Indo-Pacific

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau takes part in a bilateral meeting with President of Indonesia Joko Widodo at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sept. 5, 2023. Trudeau is in Indonesia to attend the ASEAN Summit. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

As Canada seeks to increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific region, it will see its status upgraded with the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN this week as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits Indonesia.

Mr. Trudeau held bilateral talks on Sept. 5 with Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who is also the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The strategic partnership will be launched during the bloc’s summit over the next few days.