Prime Minister Mark Carney landed in Malaysia on Saturday night to explore trade opportunities with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). There is anticipation around whether he will have a chance to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump, who is also expected to attend the same event on Sunday.
Trump abruptly called off trade discussions with Canada following his displeasure with an Ontario government advertisement featuring pro-free trade statements by former President Ronald Reagan. He criticized the ad as “FAKE” and declared the termination of all trade negotiations with Canada.
Ontario Premier Doug Ford took steps to halt the ad, hoping to resume negotiations on Monday, although the Prime Minister’s Office remains uncertain about the restart of discussions.
Before departing Ottawa for Kuala Lumpur, Carney responded calmly to the president’s reaction, mentioning progress in specific sectors like steel, aluminum, and energy. He expressed readiness to continue and enhance these discussions when the U.S. is prepared, emphasizing the benefits for workers in both countries.
The possibility of Carney conveying this message to Trump during the Malaysia event is uncertain. Trump has indicated that he has no intentions of meeting or speaking with Carney, dismissing the Reagan-themed ad as potentially AI-generated.
A high-ranking federal official revealed that bilateral talks with key ASEAN countries have been scheduled, focusing on finalizing the Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement for signing next year. The official emphasized the importance of expanding Canadian exporters’ access to the rapidly growing ASEAN region and strengthening partnerships.
Carney has emphasized the importance of identifying opportunities to drive economic growth for Canadian businesses. While expectations are managed for Canada at ASEAN, with the likelihood of incremental successes over major breakthroughs, negotiations for the ASEAN free trade deal are acknowledged to be intricate due to varying levels of economic development and regulatory frameworks among ASEAN members.