The Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade, and Economic Development, met with the Prime Minister of Vietnam, Pham Minh Chinh, during the Team Canada Trade Mission to Malaysia and Vietnam.
The Minister and the Prime Minister were pleased with the progress of the relationship made under the framework of the Comprehensive Partnership, over the past five years. They exchanged perspectives on supporting rules-based trade and the Comprehensive and Progress Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). As 2024 CPTPP Chair, Canada intends to advance work on the General Review of the Agreement (including discussing emerging issues such as inclusive trade and digital economy), increase businesses' utilization of CPTPP preferences across traditionally underrepresented groups in trade, and develop an effective path forward on accession.
Minister Ng highlighted that Vietnam continues to be Canada's largest trading partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The Minister and the Prime Minister also discussed the second meeting of the Canada-Vietnam Joint Economic Committee (JEC). The JEC helps advance bilateral trade and investment, market access, green growth, and clean economies.
Minister Ng noted that ongoing negotiations toward the ASEAN-Canada free trade agreement are advancing well. She also shared her appreciation of Vietnam's support for the establishment of the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership. The Strategic Partnership reflects Canada's deep commitment to ASEAN, including bolstering our cooperation on issues including trade and economics, peace, defence and security, and development.
Minister Ng will continue discussions with Vietnam's Senior Official to ASEAN at the Senior Officials' Dialogue in May.
