A special rapporteur tasked with assessing Canada's response to allegations of foreign interference in the country's federal elections is due to release an initial report next week. David Johnston's decision on whether the government should hold a public inquiry into foreign meddling is expected to be included. The assessment follows accusations of Chinese interference in both the 2019 and 2021 polls. The government has given Johnston access to confidential information to support his investigation. The special rapporteur's final report is due for release by the end of October.
Canada's special rapporteur, David Johnston, is expected to release a decision on whether the federal Liberals should hold a public inquiry into foreign interference in Canada's federal elections on Tuesday, May 23. The decision is anticipated to be included in an initial report on how the government should proceed with allegations that outside nations meddled in the country's last two elections. The report is set to be publicly released at 12 p.m. ET on May 23, with a more-detailed final report to be released by the end of October.
The G7 has endorsed the ‘Hiroshima Vision on Nuclear Disarmament’, a new action plan unveiled by Japanese Prime Minister, Fumio Kishida, which is intended to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons. The G7 leaders have agreed on a series of priorities aimed at reducing global nuclear arsenals, but have not implemented any binding agreement to remove them. They condemned Russia's "dangerous and unacceptable" atomic threats against Ukraine and the acceleration of China's nuclear arsenal. However, International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) claimed the meeting “failed to come up with any concrete proposals” and just produced “a rehash of old non-proliferation measures” that did not address the severity of the current nuclear threat nor the urgency of disarmament. All G7 member countries rely on nuclear weapons for their security and, as result, it is suggested that the countries are limited in their ability to negotiate for disarmament. Despite this, the group has nonetheless suggested practical steps such as increasing the transparency of nuclear capacity and reducing stockpiles, securing nonproliferation, promoting the peaceful use of nuclear agency and continuing not to use atomic weapons.
NATO leaders must prepare for the potential future of war and work on securing their own defense in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, according to retired US Army Gen. Carter Ham. He stressed that beyond any actions taken regarding Ukraine, it is critical that NATO be prodded into building up its own conventional forces and defense industries. A strong NATO would also allow the US to focus attention on a more significant challenge: deterring China in the Indo-Pacific.
The G-7 lords have launched the Coordination Platform on Economic Coercion, aiming to see off China's business bullying. The joint mechanism will target economic measures aimed at interfering with other states' affairs, with Bloomberg Singling out Australia and Lithuania as two countries that have felt China's wrath. The platform says China has used its economic weight to coerce nations in political disputes; however, an automatic response is not within the remit of the panel. Several G-7 members failed to agree on what stronger measures could be taken and by whom.
The G7 summit is seeking to adopt a common approach on Beijing and is planning to introduce measures to respond to Chinese "economic coercion" in an announcement on Saturday. A “platform” is to be unveiled which will provide a forum for the identification of economic vulnerabilities and coordination of protective measures. This follows two years of efforts by the US administration of Joe Biden, helped by Japan, to foster unity among G7 members on challenges posed by Beijing. China has taken issue with the G7’s language on “economic coercion”, saying in a statement "it is, in fact, the United States itself that instigates coercive diplomacy".
Entegris, a top supplier of chip-making materials, has invested in a $500m manufacturing centre in Taiwan. The facility in Kaohsiung will house the company's most advanced manufacturing operations and produce the latest chip-making materials including filters and containers. President and CEO of Entegris Bertrand Loy stated that the investment was a "sign of the conviction we have in the future of the semiconductor industry in Taiwan." The chip manufacturing industry has been highly competitive, with leading chipmakers TSMC, Samsung Electronics and Intel racing to produce cutting-edge chips of 3nm and below.
President Zelensky of Ukraine is trying to lobby support from countries outside of the West, including Saudi Arabia, India, and Japan, to protect itself from further Russian aggression, as beyond NATO, many countries maintain neutrality despite Russia invading Ukraine more than seven years ago. The stance of many of these neutral nations has become more challenging for the US and NATO as Russia, China and other hostile powers have been successful in pulling these wavering countries into their sphere of influence. Increasingly, the importance of creating “a more coherent and robust strategy for uniting the democracies of the world behind a common mission, particularly in light of the rise of China” is being recognised.
Canada has announced new sanctions on Russia, along with new funding, as Russia tries to recapture previously lost land in Ukraine. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said more than 70 new sanctions would focus on individuals supporting Russia's illegal military action and complicit in human rights violations. Tire maker DAK has recently been granted an export licence to send raw fuel to Russia. Companies can prove they do not violate sanctions by showing how they identify entities and individuals subject to sanctions, along with any processes they put in place to ensure compliance. Canadian sanctions impact a variety of sectors, such as the finance, energy, and mining sectors. Russia retaliated against Canada by blacklisting nine Canadians including parliamentarians and senior officials.
Leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) nations have warned China and North Korea about their nuclear arsenals as they focus on the major northeast Asian crises ahead of the arrival of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the summit later on Saturday. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan confirmed that President Joe Biden and Zelensky would have face-to-face talks at the summit, a day after Biden supported training Ukrainian pilots on US F-16 fighter jets. The move follows earlier decisions by the US to send rocket launcher systems and Abrams tanks to Ukraine to defend itself against Russian aggression but discouraged attacks by Ukraine into Russian territory. The focus on Asia comes as Japanese military officials confirmed Zelensky’s decision to attend the G7 in person to participate in talks to influence Ukraine’s defence against Russia. Zelensky called for the supply of Western fighter jets to bolster his country’s defences against Russia’s invasion; the jets could become useful in the long-term security of the country.
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, is making the 9,000 km journey to Hiroshima to attend the G7, while also seeking support from leaders who have taken a neutral stance over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. He hopes to reach out to India's PM, Narendra Modi, and Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula de Silva, two countries that have continued to trade with Russia despite sanctions imposed by the EU and G-7. Zelenskiy is keen to help Ukraine become influential in nations that the country has rarely connected with on a diplomatic level, described as "a significant diplomatic opportunity".
Members of the G7 will release a unified statement on a shared approach to China, which will emphasise "de-risk, not decouple" from the country, according to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan. Sullivan said the statement would include measures to protect sensitive technology, and that the US was committed to economic engagement with China. The statement, which will be issued following the G7 meeting in Japan, will reportedly aim to foster co-operation, and call for the development of more resilient supply chains, as well as calling for "stable and constructive" ties with China.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will use his attendance at this year's G7 summit, set to be held in Japan, to appeal to countries such as Brazil and India for greater support while continuing to build on the support of the US and its allies in the struggle against Russia's invasion. Meanwhile, the G7 has also announced measures to counter economic coercion from China, in a bid to further push-back against Beijing's "hostile" actions.
The African Union wants to establish "mutually beneficial relationships" with its trade partners, rather than just being seen as a source of raw materials, its Trade Commissioner said. Speaking ahead of the G7 summit, Albert Muchanga said Africa has a growing population that wants opportunities for "decent jobs" and this requires industrial investment. He welcomed recent visits by foreign leaders, including from France, Germany and Japan, to African nations to build trade links, saying the disruptions of the past year had made for closer trade partnerships globally.
US President Joe Biden has apologised to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia for his cancelled trip to the country and said that negotiations to resolve the US debt crisis were “in their closing stages” ahead of the rescheduled Quad summit on Saturday night. Biden said he was confident the US will avoid a default if the deadline of 1 June is met. At the summit in Hiroshima, Biden is expected to discuss threats to regional and global security with leaders from India, Japan and Australia.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen has vowed to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait, in the face of rising tension with China. She confirmed Taiwan was discussing $500m worth of US weapons aid and said she was committed to preserving the nation's leading-edge chip technologies and research. Leaders of the G7 nations, meeting in Japan, reaffirmed their commitment to seeking a peaceful resolution to the Taiwan issue. Ahead of the country's January 2024 presidential election, Taipei is preparing for further aggression from Beijing, with cross-strait relations guaranteed a place on the campaign agenda.
UK Chancellor Rishi Sunak has launched a £1bn ($1.35bn) semiconductor strategy, designed to create jobs and boost economic growth, but questions remain about whether the sum is enough compared to the support offered by other nations. Fresh questions over a key player were raised after Alphawave announced that its annual profits had been overstated by £6m and its finance chief was leaving, though it remains the most valuable semiconductors firm on the London Stock Exchange. Critics described the UK package as "flaccid" and "insignificant", pointing to the €43bn ($50bn) in aid provided by Brussels, and $50bn by Washington.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is to attend the G7 summit on Sunday, allowing him to confront Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, two crucial developing countries that have maintained close ties with Moscow despite the country’s invasion of Ukraine, about their lack of support for sanctions against Russia, with their obfuscation over who is to blame for the conflict in which Kyiv is preparing to push for battlefield gains. Experts believe Zelenskyy’s presence should serve as a ‘symbol of unity’ against Russia.
Leaders of the Group of Seven (G-7) have said they want “constructive and stable” relations with China as they continue with measures to reduce reliance on the country for key supply chains. The comments came in a communique released during the G-7 meeting taking place in Hiroshima, Japan. The document emphasised that while the countries sought to “de-risk and diversify” supply chains, they were not engaged in “decoupling or turning inwards”. The statement also called for the establishment of a “level playing field” for workers and companies, as well as the protection of “advanced technologies” which might used to pose national security threats. The G-7 also urged China to back a “comprehensive, just and lasting peace” in Ukraine.
Leaders at the G7 summit in Japan have held talks focusing on the deepening dominance of China and political tensions on the Korean peninsula. The likely impact on the Japanese economy of the UK's Brexit decision is also a significant concern. Top of the agenda was the situation in the Ukraine and issues related to economic security and supply chains. India's attendance, as chair of the G20, has highlighted the importance of the developing world. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made several contributions to the talks, arguing for inclusive food systems to be created across the world. At a separate meeting, involving the leaders of Japan and Brazil, mention was made of the need for security council reform. Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama became the first sitting US president to visit Hiroshima, where he laid a wreath at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial.
