This week, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, accompanied Prime Minister Mark Carney to the 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, followed by a stop in Singapore. While in the region, Minister Sidhu also participated in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Ministerial Meeting in the Republic of Korea.
In Malaysia, Minister Sidhu accompanied Prime Minister Carney to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit, followed by a visit to Singapore. During visits to both countries, they met with business leaders and government officials to strengthen economic ties between Canada and the Indo-Pacific region. Exchanges focused on advancing new export opportunities for Canadian industries, removing trade barriers and attracting investment. They met with leaders from ASEAN member states and agreed to accelerate negotiations on a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement, with the goal to conclude negotiations in 2026. During their trip in Asia, they also agreed to launch negotiations on bilateral free trade agreements with both Thailand and the Philippines.
At the APEC Ministerial Meeting, Minister Sidhu reinforced Canada's commitment to working with APEC partners to create trade and economic opportunities for the benefit of Canadians and people across the Indo-Pacific. A key focus of discussions was digital cooperation, including ways to use artificial intelligence (AI) to increase productivity, economic growth and shared prosperity.
In a rapidly changing global trade landscape, Minister Sidhu emphasized at the meeting that Canada will continue to work with our WTO partners to advance economic growth through a fair, predictable, and rules-based global trading system.
Throughout his visit, Minister Sidhu met with several international partners to discuss shared trade and investment priorities including:
- Wang Wentao, Minister of Commerce of the People's Republic of China
- Nguyen Hong Dien, Vietnam's Minister of Industry and Trade
- Gan Kim Yong, Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry
- Todd McClay, New Zealand's Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Trade and Investment
- Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director General
- Teresa Mera, Peru's Minister of Trade and Tourism
- Han-Koo Yeo, the Republic of Korea's Minister of Trade
