Skip to Main content

22.93°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Oct 8, 2024 6:48 PM - Connect Newsroom – Jasmine Singh, with files from The Canadian Press

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau headed to Laos for ASEAN Summit

Share On

prime-minister-justin-trudeau-headed-to-laos-for-asean-summit

Canada and Indonesia are also working toward a trade deal that's set to be signed by the end of this year. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is in Laos this week to attend the ASEAN Summit, marking the first official visit by a Canadian prime minister to the Southeast Asian nation. The gathering brings together leaders from the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations to discuss regional cooperation and global trade.

While Canada is not a member of ASEAN, the two sides have maintained a strategic partnership since 2022. Ottawa is working toward finalizing a free trade agreement with the bloc by the end of next year, as part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy aimed at strengthening economic and diplomatic ties across the region.

Canada and Indonesia are also nearing completion of a separate bilateral trade deal expected to be signed before the end of this year. The ASEAN countries together represented Canada’s fourth-largest trading partner in 2023, underscoring their growing importance in Canada’s export and investment landscape.

Following the summit, Trudeau will travel to Germany on Saturday to join the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting, which will be chaired by U.S. President Joe Biden. The discussions there are expected to focus on continued support for Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion.

Latest news

u-s-trade-representative-expects-interim-cusma-options-by-year-end

CanadaJul 22, 2026

U.S. trade representative expects interim CUSMA options by year-end

The Trump administration expects to present interim options for the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) before the end of the year, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told a Senate committee in Washington. According to Greer, the proposals would take the form of interim arrangements with Canada and Mexico after the United States decided earlier this month not to continue CUSMA in its current form. As a result, the agreement will now be subject to an annual review process. Greer's comments come amid renewed trade tensions between Ottawa and Washington. U.S. President Donald

16-arrested-as-kamloops-rcmp-seize-weapons-loaded-shotgun-and-more-than-one-kilogram-of-drugs

16 Arrested as Kamloops RCMP Seize Weapons, Loaded Shotgun and More Than One Kilogram of Drugs

Kamloops RCMP's Proactive Enforcement Team arrested 16 people and seized a large quantity of weapons, drugs and other illegal items during a two-day targeted enforcement operation conducted on July 3 and 4. According to an RCMP news release, officers focused on identified crime hotspots and individuals already known to police through intelligence-led enforcement efforts. During the operation, police seized 16 prohibited or dangerous weapons, including bear spray, brass knuckles, batons, knives and an axe. Officers also recovered a replica firearm and a loaded 12-gauge shotgun. Superintendent P

IndiaJul 22, 2026

Sonam Wangchuk says he will end hunger strike if government assures no action against student protesters

Social activist Sonam Wangchuk has said he is prepared to end his 24-day hunger strike over the alleged NEET-UG examination paper leak if the central government provides a written assurance that no punitive or retaliatory legal action will be taken against students who participated in the examination reform movement. According to a letter issued by Wangchuk, the assurance would protect student protesters involved in demonstrations demanding reforms to the examination system following the NEET-UG controversy. Wangchuk said Union ministers J.P. Nadda and Jitendra Singh met him on Tuesday night a

congo-ebola-outbreak-death-toll-reaches-999-health-ministry-reports

WorldJul 22, 2026

Congo Ebola outbreak death toll reaches 999, health ministry reports

The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has claimed 999 lives, according to official figures released overnight into Wednesday by the country's Ministry of Health. The ministry said that, as of Sunday, 2,473 Ebola cases had been recorded since the outbreak was declared on May 15. Officials reported that 999 people had died from the disease. According to the Ministry of Health, the outbreak is caused by the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus, for which there are currently no approved vaccines or treatments. Officials have said the outbreak has become the fastest-growing Ebo

raja-warring-seeks-resignation-of-punjab-cm-education-minister-over-repeated-exam-paper-leak-cases

IndiaJul 22, 2026

Raja Warring seeks resignation of Punjab CM, Education Minister over repeated exam paper leak cases

Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring has demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains, alleging the state government has failed to prevent repeated examination paper leaks in Punjab. In a statement issued on Wednesday, Warring said several major paper leak incidents have been reported during the Mann government's tenure. He cited the Punjab Group-B recruitment examination, which he said was leaked about six months ago, along with alleged leaks involving the Class 12 English examination, the Punjab State Teacher Eligibility

Related News

U.S. trade representative expects interim CUSMA options by year-end

U.S. trade representative expects interim CUSMA options by year-end

The Trump administration expects to present interim options for the Canada–United States–Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) before the end of the year, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer told a Senate committee in Washington. According to Greer, the proposals would take the form of interim arrangements with Canada and Mexico after the United States decided earlier this month not to continue CUSMA in its current form. As a result, the agreement will now be subject to an annual review process. Greer's comments come amid renewed trade tensions between Ottawa and Washington. U.S. President Donald

Carney advisory committee meets to discuss U.S. tariffs and Canada’s trade response

Carney advisory committee meets to discuss U.S. tariffs and Canada’s trade response

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s Advisory Council on Canada–United States Relations met Tuesday evening to discuss Canada's response to the United States' decision to impose new tariffs on Canadian goods. The meeting, chaired by Canada–U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc, included Canada's chief trade negotiator with the United States, Janice Charette, Ambassador to the United States Mark Wiseman, and other council members. According to the federal government, discussions focused on the potential impact of the tariffs on key Canadian industries and measures to protect Canada's economic inter

Proposed 50% Trump Tariffs on Canadian Exports Could Face Court Challenge, Experts Say

Proposed 50% Trump Tariffs on Canadian Exports Could Face Court Challenge, Experts Say

U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed 50 per cent tariffs on approximately $28 billion worth of Canadian exports could face legal challenges, although trade law experts say the administration's legal position appears stronger than in previous cases. According to reports, the White House is relying on Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to impose the new duties. The provision authorizes the U.S. president to impose tariffs if another country's trade policies are deemed discriminatory toward the United States. Legal experts say the provision has not previously been used in this manner. The Wh

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital