Norway Opens Corruption Probe Into Former PM and Nobel Committee Chair Thorbjoern Jagland Over Epstein Links 
Newly Released DOJ Epstein Files Expose High-Profile Connections Across Politics and Business 
South Korea’s Weak Won Struggles as Retail Investors Pour Money Into U.S. Stocks 
Silver Prices Plunge in Asian Trade as Dollar Strength Triggers Fresh Precious Metals Sell-Off 
Dollar Near Two-Week High as Stock Rout, AI Concerns and Global Events Drive Market Volatility 
Nvidia, ByteDance, and the U.S.-China AI Chip Standoff Over H200 Exports 
South Korea Assures U.S. on Trade Deal Commitments Amid Tariff Concerns 
Gold Prices Slide Below $5,000 as Strong Dollar and Central Bank Outlook Weigh on Metals 
Trump Endorses Japan’s Sanae Takaichi Ahead of Crucial Election Amid Market and China Tensions 
Oil Prices Slide on US-Iran Talks, Dollar Strength and Profit-Taking Pressure 
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales 
Ukraine-Russia Talks Yield Major POW Swap as U.S. Pushes for Path to Peace 
Japan Economy Poised for Q4 2025 Growth as Investment and Consumption Hold Firm 
Australia’s December Trade Surplus Expands but Falls Short of Expectations 
Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks in Abu Dhabi Show Cautious Progress Amid Ongoing Fighting 
Asian Markets Slip as AI Spending Fears Shake Tech, Wall Street Futures Rebound 
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms 
Canada has taken a major step in expanding its presence in the Indo-Pacific by signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Indonesia, its first trade deal in the region under Prime Minister Mark Carney. According to International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, the agreement aims to grant duty-free access for up to 95% of Canadian exports to Indonesia within the next eight to twelve months.
The trade deal, which is expected to be ratified by both governments within a year, is seen as a gateway for Canada to Southeast Asia’s fast-growing markets. Sidhu noted significant opportunities across agriculture, energy, telecom, defense, and aerospace. He also revealed that Indonesia is considering Canadian small modular nuclear reactors, a new technology offering compact and efficient energy solutions.
Currently, Canada’s trade with Indonesia stands at just over C$5 billion annually, far below the C$1 trillion it records with its largest partner, the United States. Despite being a smaller market, Indonesia is already Canada’s biggest export destination in Southeast Asia, and bilateral trade could potentially double within six years under the new framework.
Canada is also looking to strengthen ties with other Asian economies, including the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, as part of its broader Indo-Pacific outreach. Sidhu emphasized the importance of building visibility in the region and plans frequent visits to advance negotiations.
On China, Sidhu confirmed plans to travel there in November to help deescalate ongoing trade tensions. Carney has been working to repair relations with Beijing, Canada’s second-largest trading partner, after years of strained ties. Carney recently held “constructive” talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, signaling progress toward improved cooperation.
Additionally, Sidhu highlighted Canada’s interest in exploring deeper economic ties with India, though discussions remain in the early stages.
With this landmark deal, Canada is positioning itself to reduce reliance on the U.S. market while tapping into Asia’s dynamic economies, paving the way for greater trade diversification and long-term growth.
