Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement
On November 16, 2021, Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to undertake free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. ASEAN is a regional intergovernmental organization comprising 10 member states. As a group, ASEAN member state economies represent Canada’s fourth-largest merchandise trading partner (2021). In 2021, merchandise trade between Canada and ASEAN reached CAD$31.6 billion, and there is potential remaining to significantly enhance the relationship. According to the 2018 Joint Feasibility Study for a Canada-ASEAN FTA, the economic modelling projects that an FTA could increase Canada’s GDP by US$2.54 billion and boost exports to ASEAN countries to US$2.67 billion.
In order to enhance our commercial relations and strengthen our presence in this fast-growing market, Canada is committed to negotiating a comprehensive FTA with ASEAN. This agreement would help create new market opportunities for Canadian goods and services, while supporting a more transparent and predictable environment for trade and investment.
From September 1 to October 18, 2018, the Government of Canada conducted public consultations through The Canada Gazette to seek the views of Canadians on a possible FTA with ASEAN. On September 10, 2019, Canada and ASEAN announced the conclusion of exploratory discussions for a possible FTA at the ASEAN Economic Ministers – Canada Consultation in Bangkok, Thailand.
Canada and ASEAN held a first round of negotiations in August 2022, and a second round in November 2022. A third round is tentatively scheduled for March 2023.
Consulting Canadians
Related links
- News Release – Canada and ASEAN to begin negotiations of a Free Trade Agreement (November 16, 2021)
- Joint Statement – ASEAN Economic Ministers – Canada Consultations (November 16, 2021)
- Notice of Intent to enter into negotiations toward a Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement
- Canada's Objectives for Negotiations for a Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement
- Exploratory discussions for a possible Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement
- Joint Feasibility Study on a potential Canada-ASEAN FTA
Additional information on Canada’s relationship with ASEAN countries
- ASEAN organization website
- Find a Trade Commissioner in the ASEAN region
- Canada and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations
- Canada – Brunei Darussalam Relations
- Canada – Cambodia Relations
- Canada – Indonesia Relations
- Canada – Lao PDR Relations
- Canada – Malaysia Relations
- Canada – Myanmar relations
- Canada – Philippines Relations
- Canada – Singapore Relations
- Canada – Thailand Relations
- Canada – Vietnam Relations
- High Commission of Canada to Brunei Darussalam
- Embassy of Canada to Cambodia, Thailand, and Lao PDR
- Embassy of Canada to Indonesia
- High Commission of Canada to Malaysia
- Embassy of Canada to Myanmar
- Embassy of Canada to Philippines
- High Commission of Canada to Singapore
- Embassy of Canada to Vietnam
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