QUESTION PERIOD — International Trade
Canada-Taiwan Relations
February 5, 2026
Senator Moreau, yesterday you were very proud of your government’s effort toward trade diversification and the empty MOUs signed in the past nine months. You were so enthusiastic that it seemed you misspoke yesterday, and you said that over the last nine months this government has signed more trade agreements than any previous government.
Of course, the facts are different. Conservatives were in government when we signed 46 comprehensive trade agreements while remaining grounded to a principled foreign and trade policy — one based upon security, economic opportunity, democratic values and human rights. Now we have learned that, in pursuing trade diversification, your government is holding back on signing a key strategic trade agreement with Taiwan.
Can you explain to Canadians why your government is delaying this deal with a key democratic ally in the Indo-Pacific? Is it because the Prime Minister is more concerned with appeasing the Chinese Communist Party, or CCP, dictatorship in Beijing than standing up for Canada’s clear economic interests and standing with a domestic ally like Taiwan?
Hear, hear.
Thank you for the question, Senator Housakos. Yesterday you asked me to take care of my leader. I think that you should take care of yours. I see how the movement is going in the other place, and I wonder how it is going for your leader as well.
Now, since you’re talking about the deal with China, may I remind you, first, that this new strategic partnership with China will unlock $3 billion of exports for the Canadian economy, which is one of your main concerns.
As far as Taiwan is concerned, Canada will continue to advance our interests and engagement with Taiwan, and nothing in the strategic partnership with China will change the Canadian position towards Taiwan.
As you can see from my question, Senator Moreau, I am not interested in partisan politics — defending my leader or defending yours. I’m just asking simple questions.
Senator Moreau, even Chrystia Freeland now admits that the worst threat to the global trading system is “and has always been China.” Surely, if we can hold our ground and stand up to Trump, we can also hold fast to our democratic values and stop placating the CCP. Don’t you agree? When will your government finally sign an agreement with Taiwan? Give us a timeline. When will this happen?
You like to quote Liberal; let me quote Conservative. The Conservative premier of Saskatchewan said about the agreement with China: “This agreement with China is one of the strongest agreements that I have seen in my elected time.” I remind you that he was premier for 8 years and a member of Parliament for 14 years, which is a long time. As far as Taiwan is concerned, we still have a strong link with Taiwan, and Canada’s politics toward Taiwan have not changed because of the China agreement.
