Carney arrives in Manila for ASEAN summit, seeks trade pact with Philippines

Posted November 13, 2026 5:03 pm.

Last Updated November 13, 2026 5:28 pm.

MANILA — Prime Minister Mark Carney has arrived in the Philippines for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit.

Carney’s visit to the capital Manila comes as he looks to finalize a trade deal with the Philippines and another with the wider ASEAN group of 11 countries.

He is set to meet with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Manila.

Vina Nadjibulla, co-founder of the Centre for Strategic Statecraft, says the Manila visit is an opportunity to make concrete gains from agreements Canada has signed with Asian countries in recent years.

Southeast Asia has some of the world’s fastest growing economies and many of its countries need the energy and materials that Canada can supply.

Queen’s University professor Stéphanie Martel, who studies ASEAN and international diplomacy, says the region welcomes Canada’s trade and defence support but also wants broader co-operation with Ottawa on issues like climate change resilience.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 13, 2026.

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press

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