OTTAWA — While the Liberals insist a Pacific Rim trade bloc should welcome any country that meets its standards, an internal document suggests Prime Minister…
The language seemed abnormally frank to Carleton University economics professor Meredith Lilly, who served as former prime minister Stephen Harper’s trade adviser.
Canada’s Trade Minister Mary Ng repeated that message when asked directly about Chinese membership in the group last Friday. China applied to enter the trading bloc in September 2021, and could only join with the support of all members in the group. Lilly said Canada is one of the leading voices in CPTPP membership by virtue of being one of the largest economies in the group, along with Japan and Australia.
Lilly said that’s because Beijing is unlikely to entertain a series of reforms it would need to undertake. She said that likely includes issues surrounding state-owned enterprises, market access and currency provisions. The Chinese Embassy in Ottawa said it has noticed growing interest among Canadian experts in China joining the bloc, noting it would triple its consumer base and give Canada “tremendous” opportunities. The delegation says it’s “in close contact” with Ottawaabout membership in the deal.
Lilly also noted that most members in the bloc are smaller economies that have stronger economic ties with Beijing, and many don’t want to be seen to be taking a side in the escalating rivalry between the U.S. and China.Article content
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