Key Takeaways
- Prime Minister Mark Carney will travel to Ireland, the Philippines, Cambodia and China from November 11 to 19, 2026, representing Canada at four major international summits.
- In Manila, Carney will work to finalise the ASEAN-Canada free trade agreement and aims to conclude a Canada-Philippines free trade deal expected to triple bilateral trade by 2035.
- The trip ends in Shenzhen, China, for the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, building on a strategic partnership Ottawa says is unlocking more than $7 billion in export markets.
Nine Days, Four Summits and Billions on the Table
Four countries. Nine days. Two trade deals waiting to be finalised.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is packing his schedule with a diplomatic sprint that could reshape where Canadian businesses sell their products.
From November 11 to 19, 2026, Carney will travel to Ireland, the Philippines, Cambodia, and China, attending four major international summits.
The Prime Minister's Office announced the trip on November 4, outlining one central mission: diversify Canada's partnerships, open new markets, attract investment, and strengthen ties in trade, investment, culture, and security.
And some serious money is riding on those conversations.
Ireland: A Bigger Door Into Europe
First stop: Dublin.
Carney will attend the Summit of the European Political Community, building on Canada's recently launched "Alliance for the Future" with the European Union.
The next ambition? Canada becoming the EU's first Associate Member.
Ottawa says the partnership would lower costs for families while opening new export markets for Canadian businesses.
The Philippines: Two Trade Deals in the Spotlight
Manila could be the most consequential stop for trade negotiations.
Carney will attend the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit as Guest of the Chair, with two major agreements on his agenda.
The first is the ASEAN-Canada free trade agreement, which Ottawa says could unlock more than $3.5 billion in exports.
The second is a new Canada-Philippines free trade agreement, with negotiations Carney hopes to conclude by the end of the trip.
The potential payoff? Tripling bilateral trade by 2035.
For context, Canada-ASEAN trade already reached $52.5 billion in 2025.
The question now is whether both deals can cross the finish line.
Cambodia: Building Ties Across the French-Speaking World
Next comes Phnom Penh, where Carney will attend the Sommet de la Francophonie.
The focus shifts from trade negotiations to strengthening relationships across the French-speaking world.
There's also a Canadian milestone ahead: Canada will host the Sommet in 2028.
The visits to Cambodia and the Philippines will be Carney's first to both countries since taking office.
China: A $7 Billion Export Opportunity
The final stop is Shenzhen, China, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.
China remains Canada's second-largest single-country trading partner, with bilateral trade worth $125.7 billion.
Ottawa says Canada's new Strategic Partnership with China is already unlocking more than $7 billion in export markets for Canadian workers and businesses.
And the Prime Minister has a straightforward pitch for the world: "Canada has what the world wants: the energy, the resources, the talent, the technology, and the capital," Carney said in the release.
The Twikup Take
This isn't just another round of diplomatic handshakes.
It's Canada's trade diversification strategy playing out across four countries in nine days, with billions in export opportunities and two potential free trade agreements on the agenda.
But announcements aren't signed agreements.
The biggest moment to watch will be Manila, where the ASEAN and Philippines trade negotiations could reach their conclusion.
Four summits. Two trade deals on the table. The real test is what Canada brings home.
Image: AI-generated illustration.