This is exactly what Maninder Sidhu, Canada’s new Trade Minister, had in mind when he took a new approach to the nation’s international trade missions. He has extensive experience promoting Canadian trade at major events throughout Southeast Asia. He is deeply engaged in security dialogues across the Caribbean and with respect to economic development purposes wants to make trade delegations smaller and more sector-focused. This strategic pivot is a welcome development and sharp contrast with the bigger trade missions that his predecessor, Mary Ng, focused on. Those missions required months of advance planning.
Sidhu has said he is open to seeking a comprehensive trade agreement, signaling interest in the United Kingdom. He recently tamped expectations after floating the possibility of a bilateral agreement very soon. He is increasingly concentrating on smaller delegations of companies on his trips abroad. By concentrating on a limited number of sectors, he hopes to produce higher-value outcomes for Canadian industries.
A Shift in Trade Mission Strategy
Sidhu’s approach marks a notable shift from the previous administration’s preference for extensive trade missions. He feels that more intimate groups can lead to deeper conversations and better networking opportunities.
“It comes down to return on investments, what programs are working (and) where can we get the best bang for our buck for Canadian industry and Canadian workers,” Sidhu stated.
He focuses on three sectors of the South American continent, the Indo-Pacific region, Europe, and Africa. His stated aim is to increase Canada’s international trade footprint. “It’s really going to be a focused approach, of where we can make the best impact,” he added.
The Trade Commissioner Service, Canada’s premier service for helping Canadian businesses connect with international markets, is still comparatively underutilized. Recognizing the potential of this service, Sidhu has prioritized raising awareness about it within business communities. “A lot of the business community doesn’t even know that (the Trade Commissioner Service) is there to help,” he remarked. And so my job, today, is to help amplify that.
Future Trade Agreements
While discussions about a trade agreement with India were underway before Ottawa suspended talks in 2023, Sidhu remains optimistic about future negotiations. He spoke of the need for Canada to negotiate “sector-specific agreements” with different countries rather than large, multiproduct deals.
His discussions with Indian officials this spring included important security talks and resulted in an agreement to re-establish high commissioners between the two nations. Sidhu was noncommittal when pressed on when American trade talks with India would get back on track.
“My phone has been ringing with opportunities because people want to deal with reliable, stable trading partners,” Sidhu noted, highlighting the demand for Canadian participation in global markets.
Engaging with Global Partners
Sidhu is especially focused on India and the UK. He highlighted Canada’s ongoing vulnerability as a one-trick pony relying on a hold-over, temporary trade deal negotiated when Britain left the European Union. He acknowledged that the UK will soon join a trade bloc centered on the Pacific Rim, which could open more avenues for collaboration.
Today, U.K. and Canadian companies have access to 99 percent of the goods that we trade. Whatever we decide to do with trade agreements in the future, let’s at least make sure we’re getting the most bang for our buck in our negotiations. He explained.
The new minister was unequivocal in his push for a creative approach to diversify and expand Canada’s trade relationships. “We are getting very creative in how we can open up more doors,” he affirmed. This new approach is working and helping to make Canadian businesses supportive of TPP. It opens them up to high-level bilaterals with their foreign counterparts.
