Canada Aims for FTAs with Mercosur, ASEAN, India by 2026

OTTAWA Canada's International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu announced Friday that the government aims to finalize three major free trade agreements before the end of 2026 with Mercosur, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and India.

Sidhu told The Canadian Press that negotiators are working almost weekly in various locations. A Canadian team visited Brazil last week to advance talks with Mercosur, the South American bloc comprising Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. He expressed hope for concluding those deals, along with agreements covering ASEAN's 11 member states, this year.

Prime Minister Mark Carney discussed the Mercosur negotiations Friday in a call with Argentine President Javier Milei. A readout from Carney's office stated the leaders welcomed progress and highlighted Canada's position as a top investor in Argentina's mining sector. They also explored expanded cooperation in trade, critical minerals, energy and investment.

The push aligns with the Liberal government's goal to double non-U.S. exports over the next decade. The spring economic update reported a $33 billion increase in non-U.S. goods and services exports in 2025 compared to 2024, a...