Prime Minister Mark Carney has concluded his first official visit to Asia, saying Canada has made new trade, defence, and economic partnerships with several countries, including South Korea, Thailand, Chile, China, Malaysia, and the Philippines.
Carney attended the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) summit from Oct. 26 to 27 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and following a stop in Singapore attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, South Korea, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1.
While speaking at a Nov. 1 press conference in Gyeongju before flying back to Ottawa, Carney said his trip to Asia was “very productive,” noting Canada is diversifying its international trade partners to make its economy one that is “resilient to global shocks.” He said the 21 APEC member economies account for more than 60 percent of global GDP and half of the world’s trade with nearly 40 percent of the world’s population….