Sunday October 26, 2025 | INTERNATIONAL – MALAYSIA [Reporting from VICTORIA, BC – posted 1:45 pm PT]
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Prime Minister Mark Carney says that Budget 2025 will be “an ambitious budget that makes generational investments in Canada”.
He briefly addressed Canadian reporters in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during his trip to the 47th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit where he is today and where he delivered remarks at the plenary session.
Carney’s remarks included saying how Canada shares with ASEAN nations the free trade of ideas and goods. He highlighted LNG as something where Canada and ASEAN nations can have positive trade relations.
The conference theme is Inclusivity and Sustainability.
Carney said about Canada: “We are in the process of diversifying our trade relationships — the focus of our meetings here in Asia”
He said the results are tangible, citing a goal to double Canadian exports to countries other than the United States over the next 10 years, which Carney says could reach more than $300 billion.
A free trade agreement between Canada and Indonesia was recently signed.
ASEAN has agreed to free trade talks for next year, led by next year’s ASEAN President Marco of The Philippines.
Asia-Pacific countries:
Asia-Pacific countries include Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Canada-US trade:
Carney’s summary today about Canada’s economic strategy: “Building at home, diversifying our trade relationships abroad, and being ready to work with the United States government if and when the time comes.”
The prime minister said progress had been occurring in trade negotiations with the United States. That seems to have paused for the moment, due to Trump’s reaction to a TV commercial about the trade war that was released by the Government of Ontario for airing during this week’s Major League Baseball season.
BC is coming out with a marketing scheme against the United States next week.
Carney’s itinerary in Malaysia:
Carney’s activities in Malaysia today include a meeting with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, then touring a flight training and workforce development centre and attending a signing ceremony.
Carney will attend an ASEAN gala dinner hosted by Malaysia.
===== RELATED:
- NDP concerned that Carney’s pre-budget speech hints at austerity (October 24, 2025)
- Carney’s sobering pre-budget speech delivered to university students (October 22, 2025)
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