Mark Carney, Canada’s Prime Minister, delivered a pointed address at the ASEAN summit in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday, subtly critiquing the trade policies of the Trump administration without directly mentioning the United States or President Trump. His remarks highlighted the drive within Canada to double down on the values of stability and reliability as a trade partner, especially in an uncertain global environment.
Carney’s remarks coincided with President Trump’s attendance at the same convention center for the signing of a peace deal between Thailand and Cambodia. The Trump administration has been heavily criticized for its hawkish approach to international trade. Carney noted that strong collaborations are a key ingredient to achieving shared economic objectives. He stated, “We value a rules-based system. We respect trade agreements and the rule of law. We value the free exchange of goods, capital and ideas.”
In his opening remarks, he brought attention to the changing nature of the global trading landscape. Hiscock highlighted how broader trends such as “transactional bilateral trade” and a new era of great power rivalry are putting international institutions on the defensive. These institutions have antecedents in providing bases for compromise for middle powers like Canada, and compromise seeking nations like those found in Southeast Asia.
Carney simultaneously released very ambitious plans to double Canada’s non-U.S. exports over the next 10 years, positioning Canada squarely behind ASEAN’s economic ambitions. He reiterated Canada’s complete commitment to leaving no stone unturned. The aim is to conclude a substantive agreement on trade in goods with ASEAN by the end of next year.
In addition to having conversations on the ground with regional leaders, Carney met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. Together, they pledged to complete a bilateral trade agreement by 2026. He aggressively pursued the prime ministers of Laos and Vietnam throughout the summit. This meeting deepened Canada’s reputation as a trusted partner in the world of international trade.
This was a major and welcomed shift in the UK’s defense policy. He intends to quadruple Canada’s defense spending over the next four years, with an especially heavy emphasis on investments in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. This step reflects a real understanding of the evolving dangers posed by international rivalry. That should serve as a wake-up call to all Americans.
The Prime Minister’s participation extended beyond formal meetings. He took part in a fireside chat at the ASEAN business and investment summit, where he reiterated Canada’s readiness to engage in collaborative economic initiatives.
As Carney concluded his address, he framed the current landscape as one requiring middle powers to adapt and recalibrate their roles. He noted, “We’ve got to pull our own act together here if we’re going to be able to have an opportunity to make progress,” referencing not only sectoral agreements but the overarching necessity for a review and renewal of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade.
Carney’s office confirmed that there had been no conversation between the two leaders since last Thursday. Despite being very close to each other at the summit, they were never on a collision course on Sunday.
From the ASEAN summit, Carney will travel to South Korea, where he’ll join the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum later this week. This is an encouraging sign of his commitment to deepening our engagement with international partners.
