Key facts
- Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met to strengthen bilateral ties.
- The leaders agreed to pursue a free trade agreement between Canada and the Philippines.
- Discussions included deepening defense and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.
- Canada aims to diversify its economy beyond the U.S. and increase non-U.S. exports.
- Canada is negotiating a trade deal with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s visit to Canada underscores Canada's strategic interest in the Indo-Pacific and aims to strengthen bilateral ties. Prime Minister Mark Carney highlighted the importance of the Filipino-Canadian community and the potential for enhanced energy security and critical minerals through a strategic partnership.
Both leaders committed to pursuing a free trade agreement, deepening defense and maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, and bolstering economic connections. Canada is currently in trade deal negotiations with the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations, with Carney hoping to finalize these talks before his November visit to Manila, coinciding with Marcos's chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.
Carney has set an ambitious target for Canada to double its exports outside the U.S. within the next ten years, citing concerns about American tariffs impacting investment.