Canada’s top diplomat says she aims to finalize a free trade agreement with Southeast Asian nations “as soon as possible,” as the country looks to expand economic ties in the face of tariffs from President Donald Trump. https://t.co/SNnxBtB0Lv ...

Trade and Economic Strategy - Canada prioritizes multilateralism in trade and economic matters within the Indo-Pacific region, aiming to build resilient supply chains and diversify trade relationships [2] - Canada is actively negotiating a free trade agreement with ASEAN to benefit businesses and stakeholders in both regions [2] - Despite existing robust trade agreements, Canada emphasizes the importance of the Canada-ASEAN free trade agreement due to stress in the global economic environment [4] - Canada aims to finalize the ASEAN free trade agreement as soon as possible, focusing on resilient supply chains for the benefit of business and other stakeholders [5] - Canada is committed to opening doors to trade, free trade, and multilateralism amidst global geostrategic stress [8] - Diversification is considered the most important economic tool for Canada as a trading nation committed to multilateralism [15] Energy and Resources - Canada positions itself as a powerhouse in energy and critical minerals, with LNG shipments leaving Canadian shores [6] - Canada views energy and natural resources as its superpower, leveraging its competitive advantage [14] Trade Relations and Tariffs - Canada acknowledges the impact of tariffs, particularly from the US, on sectors like autos, steel, and aluminum [7][8] - Canada is engaged in complex negotiations with the United States to address tariffs and reach an agreement [8] - Canada has counter tariffs in place and is working to secure the best deal for Canadian industry and workers [12] - Approximately 300 billion USD of trade passes through the US-Canada border daily, emphasizing the need for an agreement that addresses the needs of Canadian workers, businesses, and the population [10]

Summary of India-US Trade Deal Conference Call Industry Overview - The conference call discusses the potential contours of a trade deal between India and the United States, focusing on various sectors including manufactured goods, agriculture, and services. Key Points and Arguments Trade Deal Framework - A pre-July 09 trade deal could serve as a broad framework until a comprehensive agreement is finalized before the QUAD summit in October/November [1] - The deal aims to reinforce India-US trade ties and target a bilateral trade volume of USD 500 billion by 2030 [3] Tariffs on Manufactured Goods - Uncertainty exists regarding whether the deal will feature "zero-for-zero" tariffs or retain the current 10% baseline US tariff on Indian exports [9] - The weighted average tariff on US goods in India is approximately 11%, with significant variations across categories, such as food attracting tariffs of 30-80% [4] Agricultural Products - Negotiations on agricultural products are expected to be complex, with India's tariffs on US agricultural goods averaging 30-80% [12] - The US seeks greater market access for its agricultural products, while India aims to protect its agricultural sector, which supports about 60% of its population [12] Energy and Defense Imports - India is expected to increase its imports of energy and defense products from the US, with mineral oil and fuel imports from the US already surging by 67% in value terms [13] - The deal may also facilitate US private sector participation in India's nuclear energy sector [13] Services Trade - Discussions related to services trade are ongoing but are likely to be part of a broader Free Trade Agreement (FTA) rather than the immediate tariff deal [16] - Digital trade issues and technology partnerships are anticipated to be sensitive topics, particularly concerning American tech companies [16] Non-Tariff Barriers - The US may request India to remove some non-tariff barriers to provide better access for US firms in Indian markets [14] - India's existing trade agreements, such as with the UK, have included reductions in non-tariff barriers, which may set a precedent for the US deal [14] Currency Considerations - Currency issues are unlikely to be a significant part of the trade deal due to India's negative Net International Investment Position (NIIP) and the volatility of the Indian Rupee [22] Future Outlook - The initial trade deal is expected to be a broad framework, with more detailed negotiations to follow [19] - A comprehensive version of the deal could be finalized before the QUAD leaders' summit, with India aiming to convert it into a Bilateral Trade Agreement for greater certainty over tariff rates [19] Additional Important Points - The potential impact of the trade deal on India's macroeconomic environment will depend on whether the US imposes lower tariffs than those on India's Asian peers [22] - The complexity of agricultural negotiations may also involve specific products like maize, soybeans, and dairy, which have significant implications for Indian farmers [18] This summary encapsulates the critical aspects of the India-US trade deal discussions, highlighting the complexities and potential outcomes of the negotiations.

Bilateral Relationship & Geopolitics - The discussion is shifting towards the opportunities Australia can capitalize on, especially considering the US's stance on China, rather than focusing solely on diplomatic risks [3] - Both Canberra and Beijing acknowledge the current state of their relationship, understanding they are not geopolitically aligned, but recognize the existing opportunities [3] - Beijing's primary focus is on the US, and it sees little benefit in escalating issues with Australia at this time [9] Trade & Economic Opportunities - The China-Australia Free Trade Agreement has been in operation for ten years, during which Australian trade with China has more than doubled compared to trade with the rest of the world [4] - Australian exports to China face an average tariff of only 11%, significantly lower than the tariff imposed by the Trump administration on Australian exports, which is nearly ten times higher [6] - Despite the US banning Chinese electric vehicles, Chinese EVs are prevalent in Australia due to their price and quality [11] - 98% of Australia's lithium exports currently go to China due to demand [13] Domestic Politics & Security - The Port of Darwin issue is likely driven more by domestic politics than genuine security concerns [7] - Security agencies stated that the Port of Darwin was fine in 2015, 2021 and 2023 [2] US-Australia Relations - Washington is not behaving as a friend to Canberra, which the Australian government must acknowledge [5] - Australia is not abandoning its security alliance with the United States [10]