Canada's Freeland backs Taiwan for CPTPP, warns against China's 'unity law'

Former Canadian Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has called for Taiwan's admission to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to bolster democratic alliances and counter authoritarian expansion.

Speaking at the 10th Yushan Forum in Taipei, Freeland drew parallels between China's recently enacted National Unity Promotion Law and Russia's justifications for invading Ukraine. She warned that the law's vague provisions could be used to legitimize cross-border suppression and authoritarian overreach.

"The historical lesson is clear," Freeland stated, referencing Russian President Vladimir Putin's essay on historical unity before the Ukraine invasion. "This is why democratic countries today must speak with one voice: that such laws have no place in democratic countries and do not apply to citizens of democratic countries."

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The historical lesson is clear, this is why democratic countries today must speak with one voice: that such laws have no place in democratic countries and do not apply to citizens of democratic countries.

Freeland also championed the concept of "friend-shoring," advocating for democratic nations to diversify supply chains away from authoritarian regimes. She highlighted Taiwan's crucial role in this strategy, particularly its strength in semiconductors and precision manufacturing, which can de-risk global supply chains and prevent nations from becoming "economic hostages" to leaders in Moscow, Beijing, Tehran, or Pyongyang.

"Taiwan's industries can make all democratic countries in the world safer, and also make the free and democratic countries of the world have a greater stake in Taiwan's future," Freeland said. She specifically urged CPTPP members to support Taiwan's accession, emphasizing that expanding "friend-shoring" alliances is a concrete way to achieve this goal.

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Taiwan's industries can make all democratic countries in the world safer, and also make the free and democratic countries of the world have a greater stake in Taiwan's future.