Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — Prime Minister Mark Carney continued his visit to the Indo-Pacific region with a series of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia — part of Canada’s mission to double non-U.S. exports within the next decade.
The Prime Minister met separately with Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Laos, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. of the Philippines, and Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính of Vietnam, underscoring Canada’s deepening economic engagement and expanding diplomatic presence across Southeast Asia.
Expanding Canada’s Partnership with Laos
Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Siphandone reaffirmed the growing momentum in Canada–Laos relations, bolstered by the recent upgrade of Canada’s diplomatic office in Vientiane to a full embassy earlier this year.
The two leaders discussed new areas of cooperation in energy, critical minerals, and technology, aligning with Canada’s Indo-Pacific priorities. Prime Minister Carney also announced a $25 million commitment to support ASEAN member states’ engagement in negotiations toward a Canada–ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) — a key step in opening new markets and boosting export opportunities for Canadian businesses.
Accelerating Trade with the Philippines
In a separate meeting with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Prime Minister Carney highlighted the strong relationship between Canada and the Philippines, underpinned by a Canadian-Filipino community of nearly one million people and over $3 billion in annual trade.
Canada and the Philippines have a close relationship — a bond that is strengthened by the one million-strong Filipino-Canadian community.
President @bongbongmarcos and I are focused on negotiating free trade agreements and strengthening defence cooperation between our nations. pic.twitter.com/JsdBUO3o37
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) October 26, 2025
The leaders agreed to accelerate negotiations on a Canada–ASEAN FTA, with a goal of concluding talks during the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship in 2026. They also announced plans to launch bilateral Canada–Philippines FTA negotiations, marking a milestone in expanding economic ties between the two countries.
Prime Minister Carney and President Marcos Jr. expressed interest in a future bilateral visit to deepen cooperation across manufacturing, defence, and clean energy sectors.
Building on Canada–Vietnam Success
Prime Minister Carney also met with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính of Vietnam to explore further collaboration in what has become Canada’s largest trading partnership in ASEAN, with over $15 billion in annual trade.
The leaders discussed ways to expand cooperation in energy, aerospace, security, and critical minerals, while reaffirming mutual interest in strengthening trade under a Canada–ASEAN FTA. Prime Minister Carney emphasized Canada’s intention to use this partnership as a model for future economic engagement in the Indo-Pacific region.
A Unified Indo-Pacific Strategy
The series of meetings highlight Canada’s growing diplomatic and economic footprint in the Indo-Pacific. Prime Minister Carney’s visit builds on the country’s long-term commitment to diversifying trade, strengthening regional security partnerships, and creating new opportunities for Canadian workers and industries.
As ASEAN represents a market of over 677 million people and a $5 trillion economy, deepening ties with Southeast Asia remains central to Canada’s global economic growth strategy.
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