Canada PM Mark Carney Attends 47th ASEAN Summit in Malaysia to Boost Asia-Pacific Trade Links

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is on a pivotal four-day working visit to Malaysia from October 25 to 28, 2025, aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation and expanding Canada's engagement with ASEAN. Invited by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, Carney's agenda includes a bilateral meeting to discuss trade, investment, halal industry collaboration, energy, cybersecurity, and people-to-people ties, alongside his participation in the 47th ASEAN Summit and the ASEAN Business and Investment Summit. This visit underscores a significant growth in trade between Canada and Malaysia, with a 33.6% increase in 2024 and a further 38.7% rise in early 2025. Carney's broader Asian tour, including stops in Singapore and South Korea for APEC, occurs amid rising trade tensions with the U.S., as President Donald Trump abruptly terminated trade negotiations with Canada, citing a controversy involving an Ontario government ad campaign. The trip also aims to revitalize Canada's diplomatic and economic relationships in Asia, notably with China, balancing complex geopolitical dynamics between the U.S. and China, and addressing domestic Canadian concerns over closer ties with China. Carney's extensive international experience and focus on diversifying Canada's trade partners beyond the U.S. highlight his strategic efforts to strengthen Canada's position in the dynamic Southeast Asian region.