Prime Minister Carney Advances Canada’s Trade, Energy, and Security Partnerships Across ASEAN
At the ASEAN Summit in Malaysia, the Prime Minister announces new funding and expanded trade talks to strengthen Canada’s Indo-Pacific presence.
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA — Prime Minister Mark Carney has advanced a new era of economic diplomacy for Canada, concluding a series of high-level meetings at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit focused on expanding trade, investment, and energy cooperation across the Indo-Pacific.
Strengthening Canada–ASEAN Trade Relations
As part of Canada’s mission to double non-U.S. exports within the next decade, Prime Minister Carney met with regional leaders and major investors to accelerate the development of a Canada–ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (FTA) — a landmark deal expected to unlock access to a market of nearly 700 million consumers and an economy valued at over $5 trillion.
During his visit, the Prime Minister announced $25 million in technical assistance to ASEAN member states to support FTA negotiations and implementation. Once completed, the agreement is expected to add more than $1.5 billion annually to Canada’s economy, creating new export opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers.
PETRONAS is a leading investor in LNG Canada — a project that’s creating tens of thousands of jobs for Canadians and diversifying export markets.
I met with their CEO, Tengku Muhammad Taufik, to discuss how we can expand this successful partnership as we accelerate major… pic.twitter.com/pGgvzcC1TP
— Mark Carney (@MarkJCarney) October 27, 2025
Bilateral Meetings with Regional Leaders
The Prime Minister held meetings with leaders from Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam, as well as representatives from the European Council and South Africa, to strengthen economic and security partnerships.
In his meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, both leaders discussed the Letter of Intent signed between Canada and Malaysia to increase cooperation in liquified natural gas (LNG), oil, nuclear, and renewable energy investments.
With Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., Prime Minister Carney confirmed plans to launch negotiations for a Canada–Philippines Free Trade Agreement, targeted for completion in 2026 during the Philippines’ ASEAN chairmanship.
Expanding Canadian Innovation and Energy Cooperation
While in Kuala Lumpur, Prime Minister Carney visited CAE’s aviation training facility, where Malaysia Airlines signed a new deal to purchase a Canadian-built flight simulator. On the sidelines of the Summit, Canada also announced $226,000 to expand the BlackBerry Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence into an international hub for cyber intelligence and security innovation — furthering Canada’s growing technological influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Prime Minister Carney also met with PETRONAS CEO Tengku Muhammad Taufik, discussing the company’s investment in LNG Canada Phase 1 and exploring opportunities for Phase 2, now under review by the Major Projects Office. The discussions reinforced Canada’s role as a reliable energy supplier for Indo-Pacific markets.
Canada’s Economic Vision for a New Era
The Prime Minister emphasized that Canada must adapt to global trade shifts by diversifying its markets and strengthening international partnerships.
“The world is changing rapidly, and Canada must dramatically change its economic strategy,” said Prime Minister Carney. “We must make generational investments to build our economy at home and work relentlessly to diversify our trade partnerships abroad. Now is not the time to be cautious, because fortune favours the bold. Now is the time to bet big on Canadians and play to win.”
This visit marks Prime Minister Carney’s first official trip to the Indo-Pacific, underscoring the government’s determination to make the region a cornerstone of Canada’s future economic growth.
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