Carney, Marcos deepen Canada-Philippines ties as Ottawa looks beyond US trade

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met in Vancouver to strengthen bilateral ties, focusing on trade, energy, and security. This engagement aligns with Canada's strategy to diversify its economy beyond the United States and increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific. Both leaders committed to pursuing a free trade agreement, enhancing defense and maritime cooperation, and leveraging the significant Filipino-Canadian community to bolster economic connections. Canada is also negotiating a broader trade deal with Southeast Asian nations, aiming for conclusion before Prime Minister Carney's November visit to Manila, where President Marcos Jr. will chair an ASEAN summit. Prime Minister Carney has set a target to double Canada's non-U.S. exports within ten years, citing concerns about American tariffs impacting investment.

Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. is on a four-day visit to Canada, which began on Wednesday. The visit aims to strengthen bilateral ties between the Philippines and Canada. President Marcos Jr. is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney to discuss enhancing cooperation in trade, labour, energy, and tourism. Additionally, the leaders will explore opportunities to improve defence and maritime cooperation. The Philippine president is also meeting with Canadian business leaders and investors to identify potential opportunities in sectors such as mining, IT, and telecommunications. This visit highlights Canada's efforts to engage with middle powers and increase its presence in the Indo-Pacific region.