Anglais
Trudeau heads to ASEAN summit to ‘mend relations’ a year after thorny trade talks
[ad_1]
As Justin Trudeau and his Canadian delegation arrive in Singapore for his second Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit Tuesday, they may find this year’s round of Asia-Pacific talks less stressful than they were in 2017.
A year ago, the 11 countries still interested in the Trans-Pacific Partnership were working feverishly to send a message to U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration that the American withdrawal from their trade agreement didn’t mean the rest couldn’t proceed with the broad trade reforms they’d originally hammered out as a counterweight to China’s growing economic power.
It didn’t go well.
Last-minute disputes over what parts of the text to suspend, and then an apparent miscommunication over a key leaders meeting where Trudeau was a no-show, resulted in angry trading partners and international headlines about Canada standing in the way of progress.
« The Japanese were seething, and still are seething about what they perceived as last-minute betrayal by Prime Minister Trudeau, » said Carlo Dade, the director of the trade and investment centre at the Canada West Foundation. « The Australians were cursing us in public.
« Folks were very mad, and some of that still lingers, » he said.
Fortunately for the Canadians, it turned out to be a short-term setback.
Canada still hopes to join East Asia Summit
With the signing ceremony for the renamed Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership last winter, followed by its ratification by the six countries required to bring it into effect Dec. 30, tensions have eased and the united front of the TPP-11 has re-emerged to counter increasingly protectionist American trade policy.
« Part of this trip will be to mend relations, » Dade said, « go in with a little more ear to listen this time around. »
This year’s ASEAN and Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summits don’t appear to have any big agreements in the offing. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth the jet lag for Trudeau.
For starters, Canada’s still hoping to become a member of the East Asia summit someday.
This group of 18 countries — the 10 ASEAN members (Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia, Brunei, Laos) plus key regional players — Australia, China, India, Japan, Russia, New Zealand, South Korea, the U.S. — meets annually, usually after the ASEAN summit.
Delegates walk past an event banner at the 33rd ASEAN summit in Singapore, Monday. The organization promotes economic, political, and security co-operation among its 10 members: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. (Yong Teck Lim/The Associated Press)
It’s emerged as a significant forum for trade and security discussions, and Canada wants a seat at this table. But it may not be in the interest of a middle power like Australia, for example, to have Canada join the club. After last year’s tensions, it didn’t appear Canada would be joining anytime soon, but it’s likely to keep making its case in Singapore.
Canada is classified as a « dialogue partner » at ASEAN, joining some of the discussions but not a full member. It is a full member of the 21-country APEC club, which meets next weekend in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea — and Trudeau is heading there next.
You want to do more trade in these regions? You simply have to show up.– Carlo Dade , Canada West Foundation
The Trudeau government’s trade diversification agenda requires not just clever trade negotiators, but a strategic diplomatic push. The more trade fights Americans pick, the greater the incentive for other countries to figure out better ways to work together.
« You want to do more trade in these regions? You simply have to show up, » Dade said. « It’s about just getting to know the people around the table so when you have to pick up the phone to call them it’s not: ‘Justin who?' »
« We’re behind the Aussies, the Kiwis, even the Americans in terms of knowing the players and knowing the markets, » he said.
Last month, the Canadian government wrapped up a public consultation on the potential for comprehensive trade negotiations with the 10-country ASEAN bloc.
Stakeholders expressed enthusiasm for better terms of trade for the sorts of goods and services typically associated with Canada’s ambitions in Asia: more natural resources and agri-food exports, and new customers for Canadian construction and green technology services.
But the ASEAN countries with the greatest potential for Canada — Vietnam, Singapore and Malaysia — are already part of the CPTPP. While others, like the Philippines or Indonesia, offer large potential markets, they’re also controversial regimes to partner up with at the moment.
Myanmar, also known as Burma, a country that could be condemned by its trading partners at these summits for persecution aimed at its Rohingya minority, hardly seems like a priority trading partner in today’s political climate.
ASEAN free trade deal ‘aspirational’
In Dade’s view, a free trade agreement with ASEAN makes « no sense. » It’s famously low in its ambition for trade agreements, meaning it’s unlikely to agree to the kind of significant moves Canada seeks. Unlike a country like Australia that’s geographically close, Canada’s trade « is more aspirational than it is real. »
Dade believes the Philippines may join the CPTPP eventually, and that’s a better path than separate negotiations with Canada.
But Yves Tiberghien, a University of British Columbia professor, thinks that if enough Canadian businesses support the idea of negotiations with ASEAN, it could be considered.
« You need, ideally, to go where there’s high growth, » he said. If Canada doesn’t want to put all its Asian eggs in China’s basket, it needs other partners in the region.
Trudeau was asked about Canada’s plans for free trade talks with the ASEAN in Paris Monday. He noted their « fast-growing economies » and said the government « will have more to say in due course » about potential negotiations.
International Trade Minister Jim Carr poses with New Zealand High Commissioner Daniel Mellsop in later October, following Canada’s filing of its formal notice of ratification of the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement. (CBC News)
The countries currently negotiating the China-centred Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) are expected to hold talks in and around these summits.
That poses a challenge for Canada, which isn’t interested in a « low ambition » deal that simply makes goods cheaper — and that’s what’s on offer at the RCEP table.
International Trade Diversification Minister Jim Carr will join Trudeau in Singapore after spending his weekend in talks with the Chinese, as Canada continues to explore its alternatives with the world’s second largest economy.
Trudeau will meet with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang at a Canada-China dialogue on Wednesday. Officials portray the leaders meeting as a chance to nail down agreement on some of the incremental progress Canada feels it’s been making on specific market access issues.
What form Canada’s future trade co-operation with China might take appears more unclear than ever. While some in Canada suggest sector-specific talks could advance things farther and faster, the government is still pursuing a broad overall strategy, officials insist.
No planned meetings with Japan
Comprehensive talks in today’s testy climate with the U.S., however, may be a non-starter, particularly given the language in the revised NAFTA agreement that suggests any final deal with the Chinese would need Uncle Sam’s approval.
Meanwhile, China recently mused about joining the CPTPP one day — something that would surely be easier for Canada than navigating its own set of negotiations.
« The U.S.-China confrontation is a big theme in the background. And on that issue, Canada is trying to hedge, » Tiberghien said. « The Canadian agenda is to kind of not be drawn into the war between China and the U.S. »
Amid all this, Canada needs to keep warming up its relations with Japan, a previously elusive free trade partner it’s now working closely with, not only under the guise of the CPTPP but on efforts to reform the World Trade Organization as well.
Canada was supposed to reach some kind of a side agreement with Japan after the conclusion of the North American trade talks to sort out discrepancies in the way the two deals interact for the automotive sector.
Canadian officials have yet to confirm whether Trudeau will have one-on-one time with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at these summits.
This year’s summits are « simpler, in a sense » for Canada, Tiberghien said. With the CPTPP done, it’s a « happy year » for many of the countries Trudeau will meet with: a chance to take a victory lap.
There may not be anything tangible yet, he said, but this is all about relationship building.
« This is Canada being present in one of the fastest booming places in the world, » Tiberghien said.
[ad_2]
Source link
In downtown Montreal, it’s festival season.
In the city’s entertainment district, a musical act was conducting a sound check on stage Friday evening — the second day of the French-language version of the renowned Just For Laughs comedy festival. Tickets for many of the festival’s free outdoor shows — limited by COVID-19 regulations — were sold out.
Two blocks away, more than 100 people were watching an acoustic performance by the Isaac Neto Trio — part of the last weekend of the Festival International Nuits d’Afrique, a celebration of music from the African continent and the African diaspora.
With COVID-19 restrictions continuing to limit capacity, festival organizers say they’re glad to be back but looking forward to next year when they hope border restrictions and capacity limits won’t affect their plans.
Charles Décarie, Just For Laughs’ CEO and president, said this is a “transition year.”
“Even though we have major constraints from the public health group in Montreal, we’ve managed to design a festival that can navigate through those constraints,” Décarie said.
The French-language Juste pour rire festival began on July 15 and is followed by the English-language festival until July 31.
When planning began in February and March, Décarie said, organizers came up with a variety of scenarios for different crowd sizes, ranging from no spectators to 50 per cent of usual capacity.
“You’ve got to build scenarios,” he said. “You do have to plan a little bit more than usual because you have to have alternatives.”
MONTREAL — MELS Studios will build a new film studio in Montreal, filling some of the gap in supply to meet the demand of Hollywood productions.
MELS president Martin Carrier said on Friday that MELS 4 studio construction will begin « as soon as possible », either in the fall or winter of next year. The studio could host productions as early as spring 2023.
The total investment for the project is $76 million, with the Quebec government contributing a $25 million loan. The project will create 110 jobs, according to the company.
The TVA Group subsidiary’s project will enable it to stand out « even more » internationally, according to Quebecor president and CEO Pierre Karl Péladeau. In the past, MELS Studios has hosted several major productions, including chapters of the X-Men franchise. The next Transformers movie is shooting this summer in Montreal.
Péladeau insisted that local cultural productions would also benefit from the new facility, adding that the studio ensures foreign revenues and to showcase talent and maintain an industry of Quebec producers.
STUDIO SHORTAGE
The film industry is cramped in Montreal.
According to a report published last May by the Bureau du cinéma et de la télévision du Québec (BCTQ), there is a shortage of nearly 400,000 square feet of studio space.
With the addition of MELS 4, which will be 160,000 square feet, the company is filling part of the gap.
Carrier admitted that he has had to turn down contracts because of the lack of space, representing missed opportunities of « tens of millions of dollars, not only for MELS, but also for the Quebec economy. »
« Montreal’s expertise is in high demand, » said Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante, who was present at the announcement.
She said she received great testimonials from « Netflix, Disney, HBO and company » during an economic mission to Los Angeles in 2019.
« What stands out is that they love Montreal because of its expertise, knowledge and beauty. We need more space, like MELS 4, » she said.
There is still not enough capacity in Quebec, acknowledged Minister of Finance, the Economy and Innovation Eric Girard.
« It is certain that the government is concerned about fairness and balance, so if other requests come in, we will study them with the same seriousness as we have studied this one, » he said.
Grandé Studios is the second-largest player in the industry. Last May, the company said it had expansion plans that should begin in 2022. Investissement Québec and Bell are minority shareholders in the company.
For its part, MELS will have 400,000 square feet of production space once MELS 4 is completed. The company employs 450 people in Quebec and offers a range of services including studio and equipment rentals, image and sound postproduction, visual effects and a virtual production platform.
MAPEI Canada inaugure l’agrandissement de son usine à Laval, au Québec
Le Gala Elles reconnaissent célèbre les femmes remarquables de l’industrie de la construction
Préparez votre maison pour l’hiver afin d’éviter les réclamations d’assurance
Quatre façons de commencer à travailler dans le domaine des ventes
La Commission indépendante soutient le recours de la Cour suprême contre le déni des droits des non-francophones par le Québec
Justin Trudeau est un raciste contre les Noirs et les Premières Nations – 14 signes
Enfants aux études loin de la maison : Trois conseils pour veiller à la santé de leurs finances
Règles et règlements que toutes les entreprises canadiennes doivent connaître
Épargnez pour l’avenir grâce à nos trucs financiers pour la rentrée
Efficacité énergétique: 10 façons économiques de l’améliorer
Ces légendes du baccara vous dévoilent leurs secrets
Retard de vol : le devoir de la compagnie envers ses passagers
Nostalgia and much more with Starburst XXXtreme
Même les jeunes RÉPUBLIQUES se lassent du capitalisme, selon les sondeurs américains — RT USA News
« Aucune crise climatique ne causera la fin du capitalisme ! »
Innovation : le capitalisme « responsable », faux problème et vraie diversion
Vers la fin du Capitalocène ?
Le “capitalisme viral” peut-il sauver la planète ?
Livre : comment le capitalisme a colonisé les esprits
Patrick Artus : « Le capitalisme d’aujourd’hui est économiquement inefficace »
Body found after downtown Lethbridge apartment building fire, police investigating – Lethbridge
Comment aider un bébé à développer son goût
Head of Toronto Community Housing placed on paid leave
Salon du chocolat 2018: les 5 temps forts
This B.C. woman’s recipe is one of the most popular of all time — and the story behind it is bananas
Gluten-Free Muffins
We Try Kin Euphorics and How to REALLY Get the Glow | Healthyish
Man facing eviction from family home on Toronto Islands gets reprieve — for now
Condo developer Thomas Liu — who collected millions but hasn’t built anything — loses court fight with Town of Ajax
27 CP Rail cars derail near Lake Louise, Alta.
Ontario’s Tories hope Ryan Gosling video will keep supporters from breaking up with the party
Renaud Capuçon, rédacteur en chef du Figaroscope
Paris : chez Cécile Roederer co-fondatrice de Smallable
Ontario Tories argue Trudeau’s carbon plan is ‘unconstitutional’
100 years later, Montreal’s Black Watch regiment returns to Wallers, France
Trudeau government would reject Jason Kenney, taxpayers group in carbon tax court fight
Ford Ranger Raptor, le pick-up roule des mécaniques
Le Forex devient de plus en plus accessible aux débutants
Los Angeles poursuit The Weather Channel pour atteinte à la vie privée
The Bill Gates globalist vaccine depopulation agenda… as revealed by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.
-
Anglais5 années agoBody found after downtown Lethbridge apartment building fire, police investigating – Lethbridge
-
Santé Et Nutrition4 années agoComment aider un bébé à développer son goût
-
Anglais5 années agoHead of Toronto Community Housing placed on paid leave
-
Styles De Vie5 années agoSalon du chocolat 2018: les 5 temps forts
-
Anglais5 années agoThis B.C. woman’s recipe is one of the most popular of all time — and the story behind it is bananas
-
Santé Et Nutrition5 années agoGluten-Free Muffins
-
Santé Et Nutrition5 années agoWe Try Kin Euphorics and How to REALLY Get the Glow | Healthyish
-
Anglais5 années agoMan facing eviction from family home on Toronto Islands gets reprieve — for now