October 30, 2025

Canada and ASEAN are accelerating free trade agreement negotiations

On Monday, Prime Minister Mark Carney concluded his visit to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where he attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit and met with world leaders and investors to strengthen trade, technology, and energy partnerships.

The Prime Minister pushed for accelerated negotiations on a new Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement, which would unlock new markets and opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses across the Indo-Pacific region.

The Prime Minister also announced $25 million in technical assistance to ASEAN nations for the agreement's acceleration and effective implementation.

Canada and ASEAN launched negotiations toward a free trade agreement in 2021. Established in 1967, ASEAN comprises 10 Southeast Asian States: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People's Democratic Republic Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. (Canada and Indonesia concluded and signed a two-party free trade agreement expected to come into force in 2026, once both countries complete their domestic ratification processes).

Link: Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement