Canada hosts U.S. and Chinese military leaders at Indo-Pacific forum

Canada is hosting senior military leaders from the United States and China this week at an IndoPacific defence conference in Victoria, B.C., as Ottawa navigates strained relations with Washington and looks to improve ties with Beijing. The annual meeting, now in its 28th year, is being cohosted by Canada’s chief of defence staff, Gen. Jennie Carignan, and the commander of U.S. Pacific Command, Adm. Samuel Paparo. The forum brings together military officials from 32 countries across the region. The gathering comes after trade talks between Canada and the Trump administration collapsed earlier in August, prompting Canada to announce retaliatory tariffs on U.S. goods. Analysts say the tensions are likely to shape conversations at the conference, although much of the discussion will take place behind closed doors. A joint press availability with Carignan and Paparo is expected at the end of the week.