Similar goals

While the visitors and their hosts may differ, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's trip to Japan and South Korean President Lee Jae-myung's visit to the Philippines served quite similar purposes.

Both Mr. Carney and Mr. Lee have recently assumed their current positions, and their agendas include topics related to promoting bilateral economic and trade cooperation, as well as current regional and global political events that directly affect the interests of both the host and the guest.

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung

Photo: Reuters

Both Mr. Carney and Mr. Lee advocate for diversifying economic and trade partners to proactively respond to U.S. President Donald Trump's use of tariffs to pressure these two traditional partners and allies into meeting new U.S. demands in many areas, not just economic and trade. They both need the best possible assurance of raw material supplies, especially rare earth elements and precious metals, as well as export markets to minimize their dependence on the U.S. market.

At the same time, Prime Minister Carney and President Lee also share the goal of building and expanding a network of bilateral cooperation in military , defense, and security matters with partners in the Indo-Pacific. They need this network to counter China and enhance the political and security roles of Canada and South Korea in Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia, the South China Sea, and the Indo-Pacific. Canada needs Japan as a gateway to the region. South Korea needs the Philippines to establish a new axis of security alliances in the region.

As newcomers, both Carney and Lee needed these kinds of diplomatic activities to build a direct presence and their own image in regional and global politics.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/tuong-dong-muc-dich-185260305214234723.htm