Minister Sidhu deepens trade and investment relationships in the Indo-Pacific region
News release
November 1, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada
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
Quotes
“Canada has set an ambitious target to double our non-U.S. exports over the next decade — and that means strengthening our trade partnerships across the globe, including in the fast-growing Indo-Pacific.The region presents major opportunities for trade and investment that will benefit Canadian businesses and workers, create good jobs, and support a strong Canadian economy.”
- Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade
Quick facts
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In June 2025, at the Canada-hosted G7 Leaders’ Summit, members issued a joint statement on the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for prosperity.
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Since 2015, Canada’s trade with ASEAN has nearly doubled. Bilateral trade in merchandise totaled $42.3 billion in 2024, up 9.3% from $38.8 billion in 2023.
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Since 2020, bilateral trade with Malaysia has increased by 36%, rising from $3.8 billion in 2020 to $5.2 billion in 2024.
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In 2024, Canada-Singapore bilateral merchandise trade totaled $3.7 billion, up from $3.2 billion in 2023.
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The 21 APEC member economies account for nearly 40% of the world’s population, around half of the global merchandise trade and about 61% of global GDP.
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Bilateral trade has approximately doubled since the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement came into effect in 2015, and 99% of Canada’s exports to Korea are now eligible for duty-free access.
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The Indo-Pacific is Canada’s second-largest regional export market, after the United States, with yearly 2-way merchandise trade valued at $261.4 billion in 2024.
Related products
- Joint Ministerial Statement 36th APEC Ministerial Meeting 2025
- 2025 APEC Leaders’ Gyeongju Declaration
- Prime Minister Carney advances new trade, economic, and defence partnerships with Indo-Pacific nations
- Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of Thailand Anutin Charnvirakul
- Prime Minister Carney strengthens trade and economic partnerships with Singapore •
- Prime Minister Carney advances new trade, economic, and security partnerships with ASEAN nations
- Minister Sidhu meets with Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade
- Minister Sidhu meets with Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade and Industry
- Minister Sidhu meets with Republic of Korea’s Minister of Trade
Associated links
- G7 Leaders’ Statement on AI for Prosperity
- Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
- Doing business in Malaysia
- Doing business in Singapore
- Canada and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
- Doing business in the Republic of Korea
- Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy
Contacts
Huzaif Qaisar
Director of Communications
Office of the Minister of International Trade
343-575-8816
Huzaif.Qaisar@international.gc.ca
Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
media@international.gc.ca
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