Will Canadian MPs visit Taiwan? « Important Thoughts » Underway: Trudeau – National

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said there were « significant thoughts » following suggestions that Canadian MPs are considering a stopover in Taiwan as part of plans for a broader business trip to Asia this fall.

During a Friday press briefing, Trudeau was asked about comments by Liberal MP Judy Sgro earlier in the week suggesting some MPs were planning a trip to the self-governing island.

He was also asked if he would support such a trip in light of China’s aggressive response to a visit to Taiwan earlier this month by US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

“I think it’s important to understand that parliamentarians have a really important role to play. … There are important thoughts going on right now. Canada has a long-standing position on China and Taiwan that we will make sure to respect,” Trudeau said, calling the Chinese belligerence “troubling.”

“We will ensure that parliamentarians making the decision whether or not to travel are done with all thoughts about the consequences and impacts of it.”

Sgro had said members of the House of Commons International Trade Committee were « looking forward to visiting Taiwan » on a trip planned for October.

Members of that committee, however, told Global News that no trips had been confirmed and that conversations about a potential trip earlier this year were in the context of a visit focused on Singapore and relations. trade with neighboring Asian countries.

It is also not yet clear whether such a plan would be approved when the House of Commons returns.

Tensions are expected to be high and the Tories will have a new leader, to be elected on September 10, who will be under pressure to make a mark on the parliamentary agenda.

Although the committees are independent in the choice of their areas of study, any travel within the scope of their studies must be voted on both by a separate parliamentary liaison committee, approved by the whips of each official party and voted on House of Commons for permission.

And when it comes to approval by party whips, it has to be unanimous.

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« We will not allow China to isolate Taiwan », Nancy Pelosi speaks for the first time since her trip to Asia

Tensions between China and Western countries remain tense and have worsened in recent weeks following Pelosi’s visit.

The trip, which was part of a business delegation to Malaysia, prompted an aggressive Chinese response, including ballistic missile launches and organized blockades of the island, which Beijing claims as its own.

Taiwan is democratically autonomous and rejects Chinese claims.

Pelosi has vowed that China will not be allowed to « isolate » Taiwan.