OTTAWA – Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to embark on an official trip starting Wednesday, during which he will attend summits in Asia and Ireland to strengthen Canada’s trade and security relationships. His diplomatic journey will cover four nations amid heightened interactions between the United States, China, and Russia.
Vina Nadjibulla, co-founder of the Centre for Strategic Statecraft, remarked that this trip represents a pivotal moment for Canada as it seeks to operationalize the various international agreements established with other countries. She emphasized the importance of diversifying international relationships, noting that this effort is not limited to Europe alone.
Carney's departure is scheduled to take place shortly after the Remembrance Day ceremony in Ottawa.
Ireland
The Prime Minister will first arrive in Dublin to attend the European Political Community (EPC) summit on November 12, marking the second time Canada has participated as the only non-European nation represented. His previous engagement with the EPC occurred in Armenia in May. The EPC summits have been convened approximately every six months since Russia’s extensive invasion of Ukraine in 2022, focusing on strategic cooperation regarding politics, security, and infrastructure.
During this summit, discussions have emerged regarding the possibility of Canada obtaining "associate member" status within the European Union, although the details of such a title remain undefined.
The Philippines
Following his duties in Ireland, Carney will travel to Manila, the Philippines, to join the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit from November 15 to 18, where Canada will serve as a guest. During this period, negotiations are set to be finalized on two significant trade agreements—one with the ASEAN bloc and a bilateral deal with the Philippines. There is potential for Carney to sign at least one of these agreements during his visit.
Carney has a meeting scheduled with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday and will address ASEAN leaders on Sunday. Queen’s University professor Stéphanie Martel pointed out that this visit will contribute towards shaping Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy, established four years ago to enhance Canada’s relevance in the region.
Martel acknowledged the ongoing efforts towards specific trade deals but expressed concern about Canada’s perceived role in addressing regional issues such as climate change resilience and gender-inclusive military initiatives.
Accompanying Carney to the Philippines will be Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and Gender Minister Rechie Valdez, who has Filipino heritage.
Cambodia
Next, Carney will visit Phnom Penh for the Francophonie summit scheduled for November 14 to 16. While there, he is expected to engage with leaders from various continents and promote Canada’s strategic autonomy, particularly in the digital economy's expansion. Canada is set to host the next Francophonie summit in 2028.
At this summit, Carney will also address prominent CEOs at the FrancoTech innovation event and deliver plenary remarks on the subsequent Monday. Dominique Caouette, an expert in Indo-Pacific studies, posited that this summit could allow Canada to bolster economic interests and influence among middle powers within the Francophonie.
Carney will be joined in Cambodia by Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand and her parliamentary secretary, Mona Fortier. Prior to his arrival, Governor General Louise Arbour will lead Canada’s delegation at the summit.
China
Carney’s final destination will be Shenzhen, China, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, taking place on November 18 to 19. This summit gathers leaders from the Pacific Rim to evaluate the current state of a disordered trading system. Nadjibulla pointed out that this summit presents opportunities for both bilateral and "minilateral" discussions among leaders aiming to align on mutual interests.
U.S. President Donald Trump is slated to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the summit, raising concerns among European leaders regarding the implications for Ukraine amidst ongoing conflicts. Carney's visit coincides with China's recent extension of market access for Canadian imports, indicating potential negotiations that could influence trade relations with the U.S.
During his time in China, Carney will be joined by his parliamentary secretary Kody Blois and Minister Anand. He is expected to return to Ottawa on November 19.
The federal Conservative party has expressed critiques regarding Carney’s overseas dealings, claiming that the agreements signed to date have not yielded significant benefits and may distract from critical domestic issues like affordability. Conversely, the Liberal party defends the importance of international engagements as vital to diversifying trade and strengthening supply chains and security partnerships.
