March 28, 2024 – Hanoi, Vietnam – Global Affairs Canada

Yesterday, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, met with Nguyen Hong Dien, Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade. The meeting took place during the Team Canada Trade Mission to Malaysia and Vietnam. The mission is providing opportunities for Canadian and Vietnamese businesses to connect on trade opportunities and grow investments.

During the meeting, Minister Ng and His Excellency discussed Canada and Vietnam’s continued collaboration and Canada’s priorities as Chair of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). As 2024 CPTPP Chair, Canada intends to advance work on the General Review of the Agreement (including discussing emerging issues such as inclusive trade and digital economy), increase businesses’ utilization of CPTPP preferences across traditionally underrepresented groups in trade, and develop an effective path forward on accession. They spoke about the progress in negotiations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Canada-free trade agreement (ACAFTA), a key priority under the ASEAN-Canada Strategic Partnership. Minister Ng reiterated Canada’s deep commitment to working closely with ASEAN to increase trade and investment between ASEAN and Canada.

The Minister and His Excellency discussed trade as a key pillar in the Canada-Vietnam relationship, given Vietnam is Canada’s largest trading partner in ASEAN. They also spoke about the second meeting of the Canada-Vietnam Joint Economic Committee (JEC), which is an important dialogue on trade and investment, market access, multilateral trade agreements, green growth, and clean economies.

In conclusion, Minister Ng offered Canada support to Vietnam as host of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in 2027.

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