Canada’s PM Carney visits Asia to forge new alliances and reduce U.S. dependence

Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney embarks on his first official visit to Asia on Friday (October 25, 2025) in an attempt to deepen trade and security ties at a time when the North American country is struggling to lessen its overwhelming dependence on the U.S. and redefine its foreign policy in pursuit of new markets.

Canadian government officials said Carney’s week-long trip might also include a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, in a possible effort to reset a previously fractious relationship worsened by an ongoing trade war.

Some analysts say it will be critical for Mr. Carney to explain to Asian leaders that Canada has its own agenda and is no longer as aligned with the U.S., whose President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened to annex Canada as the 51st state.

“While the world economy is fragmenting, Carney needs to make it clear that Canada stands apart and is still interested in rules-based trade and globalization,” said Vina Nadjibulla, vice president of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

Last month, Canada signed a trade deal with Indonesia, aiming to establish duty-free access for up to 95% of its goods exported there in the next year.

Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu told Reuters Canada is now targeting agreements with the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan.

Mr. Carney will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Kuala Lumpur, visit Singapore for meetings and attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in South Korea.

Mr. Trump also departs for Malaysia late on Friday night and will meet Xi in South Korea next Thursday, the White House said.

While Mr. Carney says he wants to diversify exports over the next decade, Canada still relies on the U.S. for about 75% of its exported goods.

Fen Hampson, a professor of international affairs at Ottawa’s Carleton University, said there were far greater business opportunities for Canada in Asia than in Europe, which Mr. Carney has visited three times since becoming Prime Minister in March.