Changes in Canada’s politics unlikely to affect ties with Vietnam: experts

Ottawa (VNA) – The relations between Canada and Vietnam will continue to develop despite recent changes in Canada’s politics, according to experts and diplomats.

Justin Trudeau of the Liberal Party won a second term as Canada’s Prime Minister, but his party could not secure a majority in the House of Commons. Trudeau has rejected the possibility of an alliance government.

Luis Silva, an expert on Government relations, expressed his belief that the Vietnam – Canada ties will continue progressing in the second term of the Liberal Party’s Government.

He said the agreement Trudeau signed on establishing the two nations’ comprehensive partnership in 2017 showed that Vietnam is an important partner of Canada in Asia-Pacific.

Echoing the view, Bryon Wilfert, Myanmar Consul in Canada, stated there will be no changes to bilateral commitments on trade and politics between Ottawa and Hanoi, as both the ruling Liberal Party and the opposite Conservative Party back the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) of which both countries are members.

He predicted bilateral exchanges of high-ranking delegations and cooperation activities will continue in the coming time, given the context that Vietnam’s growing market is offering various opportunities and there is yet any sign of improvement in the Canada – China relations.

Elizabeth McIninch, Director of the Canada – Vietnam Trade Council, meanwhile, analysed the importance of Vietnam to Canada in a number of cooperation categories.

According to her, in 2018, Vietnam maintained its position as the biggest trade partner of Canada in ASEAN.  Vietnam has more than 20,000 students studying in Canada, the largest number compared to other nations in Southeast Asia and the fifth among all countries worldwide. Canada has strengths in sectors Vietnam has demand for like road infrastructure, public transport, and renewable energy.

Nguyen Dai Trang, Director of the Canada-Vietnam Society (CVS) in Toronto, said Vietnamese Canadians secure a high rate of employment and income level, adding that her association is working to help Canadian people understand more about the community.

Overall, many Canadian experts consider Vietnam a rising star in Southeast Asia. The GDP of the 97-million-people country grew about 7 percent on an average annual basis over the past decade./.