OTTAWA — Canada’s worldwide commerce minister says the federal government is seeking to signal three main commerce offers earlier than the tip of the 12 months — with Mercosur, the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations and India.
Talking with The Canadian Press this week, Worldwide Commerce Minister Maninder Sidhu stated Ottawa has groups of negotiators in several elements of the world virtually each week.
He stated a crew was in Brazil this previous week for negotiations on a free-trade settlement with Mercosur, a South American commerce bloc made up of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
He stated he hopes to see that settlement and offers with each India and the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations — the 11-state group higher often called ASEAN — concluded this 12 months.
A readout from the Prime Minister’s Workplace stated Prime Minister Mark Carney spoke with Argentina’s President Javier Milei on Friday and the leaders welcomed progress on commerce talks.
The readout stated Carney underscored Canada’s position as a number one investor in Argentina’s mining sector and alternatives to additional develop the partnership throughout commerce, important minerals, power and funding.
The Liberals have got down to double non-U.S. exports over the subsequent decade. The federal government’s spring financial replace stated non-U.S. items and providers exports elevated by $33 billion in 2025 in comparison with 2024, one thing Sidhu known as “very promising.”
Carney’s authorities has additionally boasted about signing 20 strategic commerce and defence agreements all over the world over the previous 12 months.
Carney has travelled to 25 international locations throughout 17 worldwide journeys since March 2025.
These high-profile journeys have included stops in China and India, two international locations which have had strained relations with Canada in recent times.
Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is bringing “one of many largest delegations” to Canada on the finish of Could, Sidhu stated. He stated Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi gained’t be travelling with the delegation.
The minister stated the go to is following up on Canada’s latest commerce mission to India.
“Now they wish to come to Canada to discover these alternatives,” he stated.
Requested if he thinks a deal might be signed with India subsequent month, Sidhu stated, “We’re negotiating as quick as doable.”
“It’s going to take a while,” he stated. “We simply actually began negotiating and with a rustic is as huge as India, I’m bold concerning the negotiations however the timelines that you just talked about, I feel it’s extra about exploring alternatives.”
Sidhu stated Indian corporations are fascinated with investing in Canadian power and mining initiatives.
“India is on the lookout for extra power. In actual fact, they want 70 per cent extra power by 2040 and we’ve that capability,” he stated. “There’s actual urge for food there, particularly with what’s occurring within the Center East, and I feel that we will fill that urge for food.
“India wants extra uranium. They want extra potash … There’s a mutual profit, complementary industries that we’re contemplating and in order that’s a part of the dialog.”
India lately signed commerce offers with the European Union, the UK and New Zealand. Sidhu stated he needs to make sure Canadian companies keep aggressive.
“We are able to’t miss this chance and we have to be sure that our companies have simply as (a lot) preferential entry as a few of our like-minded international locations,” he stated. “To stay aggressive, we should proceed exploring a (free commerce settlement) with India. We should proceed having these delegations trip to actually develop upon our commerce.”
Sidhu stated the purpose is to get one of the best phrases for Canadians, to not signal offers “for the sake of signing.”
“You wish to be sure that we get actual wins right here,” he stated.