SINGAPORE –

Ottawa is refusing to say why commerce talks with India have been paused shortly earlier than the G20 summit in New Delhi. 

India’s envoy to Canada not too long ago revealed that Ottawa asked for a pause “within the last month.” The envoy didn’t elaborate on why and neither will the worldwide commerce minister or prime minister.

Speaking from Singapore on Friday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was requested twice to offer a purpose, however he wouldn’t present any particulars.

“We know the negotiations around free trade are long and complex and I won’t say any more,” Trudeau stated. 

Trudeau’s feedback come simply days after Trade Minister Mary Ng stated Canada is presently “taking stock” of the place issues are. 

“Trade agreements are complex and there are many things that go into that,” Ng instructed reporters in Indonesia on Tuesday. “All we are doing at this point is taking a reflection to take stock of where we are.”

Canada and India first launched talks for a comprehensive trade deal in 2010, however these plans have been deserted in 2017. Since 2022, the 2 nations have as an alternative been engaged in talks a couple of Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement that may be restricted to sure industries.

While in Indonesia for conferences associated to the ASEAN summit, Goldy Hyder, the CEO of the Canada Business Council, stated he believes the pause is an opportunity for the federal government to ask questions in regards to the content material of a possible settlement.

He described it as an opportunity to take a look at the areas the place consensus could be discovered and the place Canada is probably going “overreaching.” But, he stated, it’s essential Canada get again to the desk, regardless of the purpose for the stall.

While within the Indo-Pacific area, Trudeau offered updates on trade negotiations with the ASEAN trading block, saying a deal will hopefully be signed earlier than the tip of 2025. The prime minister hopes a separate cope with Indonesia might be full by the tip of 2024, roughly three years after talks launched.

If signed, the 2 free commerce offers would open Canada’s industries to a market of greater than 660 million folks. 

“Everyone around the world, after having focused so much on maximum efficiency of supply chains, learnt during the pandemic that we need resiliency of our supply chains, we need diversity within our supply chains,” Trudeau stated. “That has put much more emphasis for Canada in participating with Southeast Asia, but in addition for Southeast Asian economies to look to nations like Canada. 

Wayne Farmer, president of the Canada-ASEAN Business Council, stated selling Canadian companies and merchandise requires continued face-time with Indo-Pacific leaders.

“A large part of promoting Canada’s interest out here is the touch that’s required between senior government and senior private sector leaders,” he stated Thursday.

G20 IN INDIA 

Trudeau will arrive in India on Friday with out an official bilateral with host Indian Prime Minister Nardendra Modi on the schedule. 

Both Australia and the United States have introduced conferences with Modi, whereas British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is assembly with the chief earlier than the beginning of the G20. At that assembly, Sunak will reportedly talk about a U.K.-India Free Trade Agreement that Indian officers have stated they hope might be accomplished earlier than the tip of the yr. 

Asked about Canada-India relations and whether or not a gathering with Modi will occur, Trudeau stated occasions are nonetheless being labored out.

“You can know that we will have really important conversations when we’re there,” Trudeau stated. 

With recordsdata from the Canadian Press