File photo: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney (Picture credit: AP)
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Saturday highlighted his country’s “progress” in building partnerships with India and other Asia-Pacific nations, even as tensions with the United States escalate over tariffs. His remarks came days after US President Donald Trump terminated all trade talks with Canada, accusing Ottawa of “egregious behaviour”, reported PTI.Speaking to reporters after the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in South Korea, Carney said, “There is no better place to build new partnerships than in the fastest growing part of the world that represents 60 per cent of the global economy.” Referring to developments in the region, he cited the free trade deal with Indonesia, ongoing talks with the Philippines and Thailand, and a “turning point” in relations with China.“Progress which we have been making with India… So I didn’t meet directly with Prime Minister (Narendra) Modi here, (but) the foreign minister, other ministers have been meeting with India,” Carney said, adding that his government is focused on “reducing reliance on the United States” by diversifying trade partnerships.”That’s what we’re doing to build our strength at home, first and foremost. Build these partnerships abroad, reduce our reliance on the United States. It can’t happen overnight, but we’re moving very fast,” he added.Carney also apologised to President Trump earlier this week for an anti-tariff television advertisement released by Ontario’s provincial government. The ad, which reassembled excerpts from a 1987 speech by former US President Ronald Reagan, had prompted Trump to accuse Canada of interference and announce an additional 10% tariff on Canadian exports.Carney confirmed he apologised to Trump during a dinner at the APEC summit, saying, “It’s not something I would have done… and so I apologised to him.” He emphasised that trade relations are the federal government’s domain, not provincial leaders’.Carney’s comments follow Canadian foreign minister Anita Anand’s visit to India last month, during which both countries unveiled a roadmap to expand cooperation in trade, energy and critical minerals — part of efforts to restore ties strained by the 2023 killing of a Sikh separatist, reported PTI.Despite the diplomatic rift with Washington, Carney expressed optimism that trade talks could resume once conditions stabilise.
