Canada must become South Korea's "best friend," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told members of the National Assembly on Wednesday, May 17 in Seoul.
Justin Trudeau is making his first official visit to South Korea as both countries seek to counter China's growing influence in the region. He is due to meet with President Yoon Suk Yeol.
"It's no longer enough to be friends"
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I'm here to tell you that it's no longer enough to be friends. We have to be the best of friends," Trudeau said in a speech to the Seoul National Assembly. He told MEPs that unity was needed in a world going through a period of unprecedented uncertainty, not least because of the consequences of the Covid-19 pandemic that persist, the rising cost of living, the "real and terrifying" effects of climate change and war.
Trudeau and Yoon Suk Yeol are expected to discuss ways to deepen cooperation for supply chains, particularly for minerals critical to electric vehicle batteries, which Canada has reserves and South Korean automakers need. Canadian media also reported on a possible meeting between Trudeau and senior executives at South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution.
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The company and its partner, automaker Stellantis, this week halted construction of a vast electric vehicle battery plant in Canada, saying Justin Trudeau's government "has not respected what was agreed." The Canadian prime minister's visit follows Yoon Suk Yeol's trip to Ottawa last year. Since then, both countries have made public their roadmap in the Asia-Pacific region. It includes strengthening their military and economic relations in the region to counter China's growing influence.