Promote trade and investment with emerging markets with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region, including China and India.

What success looks like

Two-way trade and investment with China, India and other emerging economies, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, is increased, creating good, middle class jobs, expanding opportunities for Canadian exports, and increasing access to goods for Canadian consumers.

Government's narrative on progress

The government continues to engage China on expanding bilateral trade and investment while working to implement the trade and investment commitments that were made by the Prime Minister and the Premier of China in 2016 and 2017. The government is engaged in exploratory discussions for a possible Free Trade Agreement with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Canada will continue to work to resolve regulatory and tariff issues with India to ensure Canadian pulse exports (e.g., peas, chickpeas, beans and lentils) continue to enter India unimpeded. During a February 2018 visit to India, the Prime Minister announced foreign direct investment commitments that will lead to the creation of more than 5,800 jobs in Canada. In addition, Canadian and Indian companies signed 66 new commercial contracts and agreements worth more than $1 billion. Since October 2015, six Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreements (FIPAs) with emerging markets in Sub-Saharan Africa have also come into force. In addition, the Canada-Hong Kong FIPA came into force in September 2016, and the Canada-Mongolia FIPA came into force in February 2017. Preliminary discussions are in the works regarding additional possible measures to enhance Canada-Hong Kong commercial relationship. The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) entered into force on December 30, 2018. Canada is also engaged in negotiations for a free trade agreement between Canada and the Pacific Alliance, and between Canada and Mercosur. To support Canadian firms and increase exports to new markets, the government is implementing provisions from Budget 2018 that provide up to $75 million to build a stronger diplomatic presence and Trade Commissioner Service salesforce in China and Asia, as well as other initiatives to open market opportunities in the region.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.