Canada advancing its 'middle power' strategy with new trade deals, Anand says

ATLANTA: Canada is making rapid progress in diversifying its trade and security ties globally, with a goal of doubling its non-US trade over the next decade, Foreign Minister Anita Anand said on Saturday, as Ottawa emphasises trust in building new relationships outside North America.

Anand spoke with Reuters on the sidelines of a US-hosted meeting of foreign ministers from the Group of 20 major economies, where the participation of Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov exposed deep divisions within the grouping.

A critic of Lavrov's participation, Anand said the meeting helped illustrate the transformed and fractured nature of the international order, underscoring the need for new approaches, groupings, alliances and partnerships.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has vowed to double Canada's non-US trade over the next decade as President Donald Trump's tariffs have rippled through the Canadian economy.

Canada's subsequent efforts to reach a deal with Washington have broken down, prompting Carney's government to aggressively pursue trade pacts with countries across the Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East.

"This is our middle power diplomacy," Anand told Reuters, citing Canada's work with Nordic countries on Arctic safety and security amid growing Russian threats, as well as efforts with India and Australia to protect citizens' privacy amid rapid advances in AI and innovation.

Canada was also working to expand its ties with the European Union, she said, citing a new national security strategy released earlier in the week that places significant emphasis on critical minerals, energy and food security.

"Canada is coming to the table to ensure that ... there are, if necessary, new bodies, new groupings, new alliances and partnerships in order to address the crises of the day," she said.

Ottawa had forged 20 new security and trade agreements with countries and parties worldwide, giving it access to 1.50 billion consumers in more than 51 countries, and efforts to expand trade ties outside the US would continue.

She said Canada was the only Group of Seven country with free trade agreements with every other G7 member, and expected to conclude a similar trade deal with Asean before the end of the year.