Trudeau Heads to Southeast Asia Amid Rising Israel-Hamas Tensions
Ottawa – As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau heads to Southeast Asia for a high-stakes trade mission, the escalating violence in the Middle East threatens to dominate discussions at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit, scheduled from October 10-11, 2024.
The Canadian government is focused on advancing trade deals, particularly with Indonesia, and securing a broader agreement with ASEAN by 2025. However, experts say Trudeau will face challenges addressing public opinion in Muslim-majority nations like Indonesia and Malaysia, where sympathy for the Palestinian cause and criticism of Western actions are high.
Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president of research at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, noted that Canada and other Western nations have faced reputational damage in the region, accused of selective concern over human rights issues. She emphasized Trudeau’s need to reaffirm Canada’s commitment to human rights globally, including in Gaza, to counter accusations of hypocrisy.
Despite these diplomatic challenges, Canada’s broader goals at the summit include strengthening economic ties with the rapidly growing ASEAN bloc, which boasts a combined GDP of $3.8 trillion. Trudeau’s efforts will be closely scrutinized, especially given Malaysia’s strong stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict.