By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Prime Minister Mark Carney is positioning Canada as a dependable trade partner for Southeast Asia, especially given shifting global trade dynamics. He is attending the ASEAN summit, aiming to attract investment and support Canada’s goal of doubling exports outside the United States within the next decade. While President Trump has called off trade negotiations with Canada, Carney is meeting with ASEAN leaders to discuss green energy, critical minerals, and other key areas of cooperation. Both Canada and ASEAN are working toward a trade agreement expected to be signed in early 2026.
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Carney to pitch Canada as a reliable partner in Asia is a mission that’s both crucial and, frankly, makes perfect sense right now. Let’s face it, the world has changed. The old certainties, the predictable alliances, they’re not so certain or predictable anymore. And in this new reality, Canada has a real opportunity to step up and offer something valuable: reliability. We’re talking about a country that generally plays by the rules, isn’t prone to sudden, disruptive shifts in policy, and doesn’t exactly have a reputation for causing international incidents. It’s a pretty appealing package, especially when compared to… well, some of the alternatives.
This is particularly true given recent events. The whole Huawei situation, where Canada was caught in the middle of a geopolitical showdown, was a stark reminder of the risks of relying too heavily on a single, sometimes unpredictable, partner. It was a costly lesson, and it has strengthened the resolve for an independent foreign policy. People realize that Canada can’t just assume that the US will act in its best interests. If the US starts throwing its weight around, bullying allies, then those allies are going to start looking elsewhere. This shift in perspective is key.
The pitch to Asia is straightforward. Canada’s got the goods. We’ve got resources, including things like softwood lumber and potash that many Asian nations need. More importantly, we’ve got a government that operates with a degree of predictability. Canada is not going to suddenly change its mind or demand something that wasn’t agreed upon earlier. While it would be great to see immediate, game-changing deals, we also know that the groundwork is already laid. Canada and ASEAN have already started to move towards a free trade agreement, and have been steadily having negotiations.
Canada’s good relationships with the ASEAN nations are not a recent thing. They have a significant presence there, including trade missions, naval vessels for patrols. It is an area where Canada is considered a friendly country.
The economic landscape is shifting, and Asian nations are becoming increasingly important trading partners. They want partners that they can trust, and Canada can deliver on that. While it is true the US would want to bully these countries, Canada offers a more stable and trustworthy partnership that works on the basis of mutual benefit.
Some might be skeptical, thinking the timing isn’t right, or that Canada is somehow disadvantaged. But the truth is, the current environment presents a unique opportunity. It is a chance to move past any previous issues and establish a new foundation for cooperation. There is a whole world out there ready to do business with Canada, and it is crucial to keep moving in that direction. This move also means that Canada has to stop protecting US interests.
Plus, let’s be honest, Canada has a better track record than some other potential partners. The kind of stability that Canada offers is particularly valuable right now, and that alone is a selling point. Canada also presents itself as a potential source for manufacturing, critical minerals, and a range of other goods and services, which can be an important piece in opening the Canadian market.
While there are challenges, like the recent tariffs on Chinese EVs, there are also opportunities. China’s growing global presence and its own economic ambitions means it’s a huge potential trading partner for Canada. These kinds of moves require that Canada be willing to take a stand for its own interests and create a policy that supports it.
The bottom line is this: Canada is well-positioned to step into a leadership role. By prioritizing a fair, and predictable approach to trade and international relations, we can build relationships that benefit both Canada and our Asian partners. It’s a pragmatic approach, based on mutual respect and shared interests, and it’s the right move for Canada.