Canada Trade Minister Plans India, Philippines Talks
Canada Trade Minister Plans India, Philippines Talks
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Key Points
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Sidhu said Canada already has preferential access to a market of 1.5 billion consumers and that completing agreements with India, ASEAN and the Philippines would expand that reach to 3 billion consumers.
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Sidhu is scheduled to lead a large Canadian business delegation to India next month, extending the commercial outreach beyond his September meetings.
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Canada-India two-way trade in goods and services reached $30.4 billion in 2025, including $13.6 billion in merchandise trade.
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The Philippines was Canada’s sixth-largest merchandise export market in ASEAN in 2025; bilateral merchandise trade totaled $3.4 billion, with Canadian exports at $1.1 billion and imports at $2.3 billion.
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Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada in December for a formal CEPA signing ceremony, according to the Hindustan Times report, which said the two countries’ leaders had set an end-of-year deadline for concluding the negotiations.
Canada's Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is heading to India and the Philippines this month to push trade deals that could nearly double Canada's access to major markets. Multiple Sources report that Sidhu will meet with Indian officials in Mumbai on September 18–19, then attend talks in Manila on September 21–22 as part of a broader push to expand exports beyond the United States.
The visits are part of Canada's strategy to reach 3 billion consumers through completed trade agreements with India, ASEAN, and the Philippines. Sources say Canada and India aim to wrap up their comprehensive economic partnership agreement by the end of 2026, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi expected to visit Canada in December for a formal signing ceremony.
Mumbai Talks Aim to Double India Trade
Sidhu will meet Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal to advance negotiations on a Canada-India comprehensive economic partnership agreement entering its fourth round. Trade Sources note Canada-India two-way trade in goods and services reached $30.4 billion in 2025, including $13.6 billion in merchandise trade. The two nations aim to double annual trade to $70 billion by 2030.
Sidhu said Canada already has preferential access to a market of 1.5 billion consumers. Completing the India agreement, along with deals with ASEAN and the Philippines, would expand that reach to 3 billion consumers across the region.
Philippines Emerges as Key ASEAN Trade Partner
The Philippines was Canada's sixth-largest merchandise export market in ASEAN in 2025. Reports show bilateral merchandise trade totaled $3.4 billion, with Canadian exports at $1.1 billion and imports at $2.3 billion. Sidhu will push for progress on free-trade negotiations with both ASEAN and the Philippines during the September 21–22 Manila consultation.
Building on Business Delegation Outreach
Sidhu is scheduled to lead a large Canadian business delegation to India next month, extending commercial outreach beyond his September government meetings. This move reflects Canada's broader strategy to diversify its trade relationships and reduce dependence on U.S. markets. The combined visits signal Ottawa's commitment to deepening ties across South and Southeast Asia.
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