APEC Summit | Trudeau promises 35 million for projects in the Pacific region

(Lima) Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $35 million in Canadian funding for programs in the Pacific region, ranging from cybersecurity training to combating domestic violence.

The funding comes from funds already allocated, such as the Indo-Pacific strategy announced by the Liberals two years ago.

The Prime Minister made the announcement in Peru during his second day at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, APEC, summit.

The most important projects involve improving access to reproductive health care for women in Peru and promoting sustainable communities in the Andean region of the country.

Mr. Trudeau met Peruvian President Dina Boluarte and Chilean President Gabriel Boric on Saturday.

The Prime Minister held a press conference on Saturday afternoon alongside Trade Minister Mary Ng.

APEC aims to eliminate trade barriers and grow economies in the Pacific region, but the group faces rising protectionism.

A frequent topic of discussion at the summit’s public events was how to maintain rules-based trade as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump pledges to implement sweeping tariffs.

Canada has stepped up its efforts to focus on trade, announcing Friday that negotiations have concluded for a trade deal with Indonesia.

The country has a booming economy and Mr. Trudeau’s office says it is Canada’s largest export market in Southeast Asia, particularly for agriculture, manufactured goods and natural resources.

As part of Canada’s commitment to the Pacific region, Mr. Trudeau announced support for programs such as a $3.9 million investment in the BlackBerry Cybersecurity Center of Excellence in Malaysia, which will train 3,500 people throughout the region with the aim of boosting local employment in government, research and industry.

Another project involves integrating at least 2,500 Venezuelan refugees with medical degrees into Peru’s medical system.

Trudeau also said Canada will look to expand nuclear energy collaboration across Southeast Asia, particularly for countries wondering how to properly power computers and data centers used for artificial intelligence.

Mr. Trudeau argued that this would create jobs and strengthen Canada’s regional influence.

The prime minister held informal meetings on the sidelines of the APEC summit, where Chinese President Xi Jinping is a particularly important figure because of Beijing’s efforts to strengthen ties with South America.

This week, Mr Xi inaugurated a mega-port in Peru, and newspapers and billboards around Lima are promoting Chinese companies. An advertisement from a Chinese alcohol manufacturer shows Machu Picchu and the Great Wall of China, wishing for a successful APEC summit in Spanish and Chinese.