Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Australia as part of a broader Asia-Pacific tour aimed at diversifying trade links amid ongoing tariff turbulence from the US Trump administration.
The Canadian government on Monday announced the prime minister’s three-country tour to India, Australia and Japan from February 26 to March 7.
Mr Carney will visit Sydney and Canberra for talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to deepen cooperation on defence and maritime security, critical minerals, trade, and advanced technologies, including AI.
He will deliver a speech to both houses of Australia’s federal parliament, marking the first such address by a Canadian leader in nearly 20 years.
Mr Carney will also meet with business leaders and investors to attract new capital into Canada.
“In a more uncertain world, Canada is focused on what we can control,” Mr Carney said in a statement.
“We are diversifying our trade and attracting massive new investment to create new opportunities for our workers and businesses. We are forging new partnerships abroad to create greater certainty, security and prosperity at home.”
According to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, two-way trade between the two countries was worth $11 billion in 2024.
During the first leg of the international tour, Mr Carney will visit Mumbai, then New Delhi, where he will meet with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
He’ll then head to Australia and round out the trip in Tokyo with talks with Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae.
Last week, President Donald Trump flagged introducing temporary tariffs of 15 per cent on almost all US imports after the Supreme Court struck down his previous tariff program.
It’s not clear if or when there would be any tariff refunds.
Friday’s court ruling will most likely prolong political and economic chaos over international trade.
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