At the ASEAN Summit, Prime Minister Mark Carney emphasized the importance of trustworthy partners who uphold their commitments, subtly contrasting recent actions by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump’s threat to impose an additional 10% tariff on Canadian goods in response to Ontario’s TV ads quoting Ronald Reagan has led to a halt in negotiations, with Carney expressing readiness to resume talks when the U.S. is prepared. Carney reiterated this stance consistently over the weekend, despite Trump’s lack of specificity on the targeted goods and his refusal to meet with the Canadian Prime Minister.
During the summit in Kuala Lumpur, Carney highlighted Canada’s desire to play a more significant role in the ASEAN region through increased trade collaboration. He stressed Canada’s commitment to a rules-based system, respecting trade agreements, and advocating for free exchange of goods and ideas. The ongoing shift towards bilateral trade arrangements was acknowledged by Carney, who also hinted at strained relations with the U.S.
While hopes for a Carney-Trump meeting at the summit to resolve the trade dispute dwindled, Business Council of Canada’s CEO, Goldy Hyder, urged unified leadership from Canada in navigating trade challenges. Hyder emphasized the need for strategic negotiations, especially with the upcoming CUSMA renegotiation. Beyond trade concerns, Hyder mentioned broader issues affecting U.S.-Canada relations, such as differing views on the Palestinian state recognition.
Addressing the summit, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the importance of cooperation amid global uncertainties, echoing sentiments relevant to the Canada-U.S. trade tensions. Trump’s visit to Kuala Lumpur, marked by a peace deal signing between Thailand and Cambodia, showcased his diplomatic efforts in the region. The summit witnessed Trump’s active involvement, including brokering the ceasefire agreement, amid escalating trade tensions with Canada.
