Canada Should Aid China-Reliant Nations to Mitigate Economic Coercion Risks: Ambassador

Canada should form deeper ties with some smaller nations in the Indo-Pacific region as they are susceptible to Beijing’s economic coercion, Ian McKay says.

Ian McKay, ambassador of Canada to Japan and special envoy for the Indo-Pacific, speaks to media in Jakarta, Indonesia, on Sept. 5, 2023. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

Canada’s ambassador to Japan is calling for forging stronger ties with China-dependent nations in the Indo-Pacific as part of Ottawa’s strategy to counter Beijing’s economic coercion.

“There are issues where Canada needs to challenge China,” Ian McKay said while testifying before the House of Commons Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship on Nov. 27. He highlighted Canada’s commitment to address Beijing’s economic coercion, as outlined in its Indo-Pacific Strategy, by diversifying economic integration with other allies in the region.