Dans l'actualité

What the rupee’s recent swings mean for the Canada-India trade pact talks

The Globe and Mail, June 26, 2026

Featuring: Tanya Dawar, Research Scholar, South Asia, APF Canada

Excerpt: “If anything, both sides have more reasons to close the deal,” said Tanya Dawar, a research scholar with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, in a recent interview.

“This highlights distinct movements between more reactive, short-term portfolio flows and more stable, long-term investment commitments,” she said.

As for Canadian exporters, a softer rupee will make goods such as Saskatchewan pulses and potash more expensive. That currency pressure comes on top of existing Indian tariffs.

Said Ms. Dawar: “Saskatchewan farmers are getting squeezed twice.”

US and allies flex military muscle on China’s doorstep with multi-front drills

South China Morning Post (SCMP), June 26, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: Experts say Washington still regards its own bases and forces as essential but is increasingly looking to allies to contribute more in terms of capabilities, access, personnel and political resolve.

“The emerging model is therefore a more distributed coalition in which Japan, the Philippines, Australia and other partners bring complementary capabilities and provide access across a wider geographical area,” said Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president of research and strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

For Nadjibulla, the collective message is clear: deterrence will depend less on a single large US presence and more on a dispersed, resilient and interoperable coalition designed to complicate an adversary’s planning across the region.

“They demonstrate that the US is trying to replace a primarily hub-and-spokes alliance system with a more networked security architecture,” she said.

Canada should choose German subs for linguistic reasons, TKMS executive says

The Globe and Mail, June 25, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research and Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation, said Canada, says Canada and South Korea have a deep and mature partnership spanning trade and investment, defence and security, as well as political relations, and share extensive cultural and people-to-people ties.

“Framing the submarine decision as a choice between different ‘cultural ecosystems’ is unnecessary and risks creating an artificial cultural wedge between close partners,” Nadjibulla added. “Korean firms operate globally and have demonstrated that they can work effectively across languages, regulatory systems and business environments.

“At a time when Canada is seeking to deepen its defence and industrial relationships with trusted partners in Asia, proposals should be judged on capability, industrial benefits and long-term value, not on assumptions about cultural compatibility.”

Radio West with Sarah Penton: Team Canada's Trade Mission to Japan

CBC Radio News (multi-station syndication engagement), June 24, 2026

Featuring: President & CEO Jeff Nankivell, APF Canada

Excerpt: [Starting at 1:07:40] Nankivell tells CBC's Sarah Penton that the ongoing Team Canada Trade Mission to Japan comes at the right time.

"It is imperative that [Canada] diversifies its trade and investment relationships around the world and Japan is going to be a really important part of that. We already have a strong and growing economic relationship with Japan... it shares Canada's values and it shares our geopolitical priorities... so it's a natural partner for Canada."

To take advantage of Canada's expanding trade partnership with Japan, including, he notes, through mechanisms like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, "businesses need to get out there and find partners in Japan, familiarize themselves with the... culturally specific and stringent requirements of the Japanese markets, and make themselves known to potential customers and distributors and investors in Japan. That's what this kind of mission can help to do."

Politics This Morning: Carney celebrates Quebec

The Hill Times - Politics This Morning, June 23, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: Nadjibulla told Politics This Morning that ultimately it will be up to the Chinese Communist Party to decide if a joint venture between Chinese and Canadian firms to build cars in Canada would be possible. What would make such a deal attractive to China, if there is one at all, is the potential for access to the North American market and not just the Canadian market, she said. But so far, the signals from U.S. decision-makers suggest they are not open to allowing access to Chinese cars, Nadjibulla added.

“It will depend on whether China wants to play the long game and enter the Canadian market, and then position itself for an eventual change in the U.S., maybe in five years, maybe in three years … because it’s not commercially viable just to produce for the Canadian market. It’s too small.”

Canada-China EVs Deal

OMNI, June 22, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: Vina Nadjibulla discusses the possibility of a joint manufacturing venture for Chinese EVs in Canada, noting that "in China, it's not like private companies... can act completely independent of the government."

"So this idea that private... Canadian companies and Chinese companies will talk... will come up with some kind of deal," and that the "governments would just need to stay out of the way," she says, "I don't think that would work in the case of China"

Canada on track for increased low-tariff Chinese EV imports, Joly says

The Globe and Mail, June 22, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president of research and strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, said Canadians should not assume Chinese vehicle makers are making their own decisions, independent of Beijing’s Communist Party-controlled government, on how to enter this country’s market.

“We shouldn’t be naive,” she said. “In the case of China, the government plays a critical role, and we cannot assume that these are market-driven private sector conversations.”

“So far the U.S. has made it very clear that they don’t want to see Chinese EVs in the U.S., and they’re going to actually tighten rules of origin for the auto sector.”

Canada steps up at Rimpac to rebut Trump’s freeriding charge

South China Morning Post, June 22, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president of research and strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, said the Rimpac deployment “supports Canada’s interest in preserving open sea lanes and a stable, rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific”, while showing it could “contribute specialized capabilities and exercise leadership within a large and complex multinational operation”.

Nadjibulla noted that Rimpac also offered an opportunity to deepen interoperability with partners such as Japan, South Korea, Australia and the Philippines – the very allies Canada would need to work alongside in any regional contingency.

But she cautioned that sustaining the operational tempo and connecting deployments to deeper defence partnerships and industrial cooperation would matter far more than any single show of force.

“Regional partners will ultimately judge Canada by the consistency of its presence over many years, not by any single exercise.”

Philippines works to build closer defence ties to Canada as it squares off with China

The Canadian Press (via The Toronto Star), June 22, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada Vice-President Vina Nadjibulla said the Philippines is where Canada has made the most progress on strengthening defence ties under the Indo-Pacific strategy the Liberals released in late 2022.

“Canada also has a lot of strength in cybersecurity, and as part of the Indo-Pacific strategy, there has been a concerted effort to build the capacity of the Philippines when it comes to cyber defence,” she said.

“The Philippines is positioning itself as the front line state when it comes to maritime security and the defence of maritime rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific.”

How important is it for Canada to develop additional trade deals with Asia?

CTV News, June 21, 2026

Featuring: Jeff Nankivell, President & CEO, APF Canada

Excerpt: Nankivell says the latest Team Canada trade mission to Japan shows that Ottawa's "priority is to really push in the areas where we see the greatest growth potential, and this Canada-Japan relationship has developed nicely."

He adds that it is critical for Canada to strengthen economic ties with Asia. "When we talk about trade, we should not only talk about trade in terms of goods, but also trade in services. Canada has growth potential in markets like Japan, in areas like financial services, clean technologies, and other forms of digital services. At the same time, Japan is the third largest foreign investor in Canada, and it's really critical that [Ottawa] attracts more foreign investment from partners that are outside of the U.S., which also tends to bring with it larger trade flows and other benefits."

Record-setting number of Canadian executives head to Tokyo as CUSMA review looms

CTV News, June 21, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: Japan is a trusted partner. It is a G-7 member. It is a fellow democracy with whom we have an important strategic relationship. We cannot jeopardize that relationship because we’re trying to pursue diversification with China,” warns Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

“So basically, this fall there need to be discussions about extending the canola and other tariff relief that Canada got. And the question is, will China ask for more concessions?” Nadjibulla said, adding that she expects Industry Minister Melanie Joly to face tough questions in Japan about whether those quotas will be increased, and under what terms she will allow Chinese car companies to build vehicles in Canada.

India looking to Canada to balance ‘inequality’ of markets in trade talks: envoy

The Hill Times, June 10, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada’s Vina Nadjibulla noted that India is a “tough negotiator,” and that their officials are trying to “push and get the best deal they can for their country.”

She said the investment and mobility provisions that were in previous deals India has struck are aspects at which Canada would need to look. “But we have to make sure that we’re also very much protecting Canadian interests,” Nadjibulla said, noting the size of the Canadian economy is larger than those of New Zealand or the EFTA.

“When it comes to investment, we have a strong footing already given that Canadian institutions have invested close to $100-billion in India,” Nadjibulla said. “While it can be part of the agreement, it’s also something that is in line with what Canada is already trying to do.”

MPs plan official Taiwan visit as Beijing blasts 'hurtful' trips, bars New Zealanders

The Canadian Press (via BNN Bloomberg), June 9, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: Nadjibulla said it’s crucial for the exchanges with Taiwan to continue — particularly those involving multiple political parties — after the unclear message sent when the two MPs had ended their visit early.

“It’s important from a perspective of democratic solidarity. At a time when democracies are under assault, both internally and from external challenges, we do need to work closely together,” she said.

Taiwan and Canada can learn from each other as they grapple with disinformation, foreign interference and transnational repression, Nadjibulla said. Canada’s Indo-Pacific strategy also called for deepening economic and scientific collaboration with Taiwan, she noted.

“The other element is to do with making a point that Canadian foreign policy and Canadian policies on Taiwan and on China are being driven by Canadians here in Canada — rather than being dictated to by demands from either Beijing or any other superpower,” she said, noting China’s ban on the four New Zealand MPs.

McGuinty to lead defence trade mission pitching Japan on Canadian military tech

The Globe and Mail, June 8, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president of research and strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, said the timing of this trip is good because both countries are making “generational investments in our defence sector” as they seek to maintain peace and stability in both the Indo-Pacific and the Arctic.

Mr. Carney, saying that Canada could no longer rely on the United States for protection, used his first budget last November to deliver a defence-spending increase of more than $84-billion over five years – which is believed to be the biggest short-term cash infusion for the military since the Korean War.

Ms. Nadjibulla said increased focus by Canadian cabinet ministers on Japan is important as Ottawa seeks to build middle-power coalitions around the world.

Canada, Five Eyes warn China using online job sites in spy operation

CTV News, June 3, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: Vina Nadjibulla told CTV News that China’s spy operation “really is a sophisticated campaign.”

“It shows an evolution in tactics from the Chinese security institutions,” said Nadjibulla. “I think the alert that we saw issue today really should be taken seriously, and it is quite an unprecedented development.”

Nadjibulla says the timing of all this reinforces the point that engagement with China “cannot mean silence on national security”. She also stressed how important it is that the Five Eyes partners are issuing such a public statement.

“Transparency is part of building resilience,” Nadjibulla told CTV News. “The purpose of this alert is not to create panic or stigmatize communities. It is to inform people who may be targeted and give them practical tools to act and respond.”

Can Canada deepen economic ties with China without sacrificing security and human rights?

CTV News - Power Play (via BNN Bloomberg), May 29, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: Nadjibulla says the key question in the Canada-China relationship hinges on whether or not Canada can "deepen economic engagement [with China] where it serves our interest while at the same time protecting national security, economic security, as well as human rights and other issues that are important to Canadians."

"So far, we haven't heard much about the guardrails [Ottawa intends to set with China] publicly, we only know that the government thinks they're important and they should exist. I think the purpose of this visit from foreign minister Wang Yi is broadly to have those difficult discussions... [such as] which sectors will be open for Chinese investment, and which areas will not be? How will they define issues around foreign interference and transnational repression? What kind of mechanisms will be set in place to deal with those difficult issues and challenges?"

She adds that despite lots of talk on Canada's economic relationship with China, "a lot of questions still remain about the guardrails, what they will look like, and how the government will be managing them."

China raises prospect of trade boost if relations with Canada stay the course

The Globe and Mail – May 29, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: During his high-stakes visit to Ottawa, Beijing’s top diplomat on Friday dangled the prospect of Canada doubling its exports to China by 2030, if relations stay positive.

“The ups and downs in China-Canada relations over these years have brought us many important lessons,“ he said in remarks translated by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

“We need to uphold mutual respect, seek common ground while reserving differences, maintain strategic independence, and pursue mutual benefit and win-win outcomes,” Mr. Wang said. “I believe that no matter how the international situation changes, we should adhere to these beneficial experiences.”

Vina Nadjibulla, vice-president of research and strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation, cautioned about the risk that China will weaponize closer trade relations that make Canada more dependent on Chinese companies. More exports, particularly when concentrated in a single product or sector, can give Beijing leverage, she said. It could use the threat of future export boycotts to force Canada to align with its policies, whether on Taiwan, the South China Sea, the United States or other matters.

Taiwan News Image — Courtesy Taiwan News via Zuma Press Wire, Laurent Coust, via Reuters Connect photo

Canadian frigate transits Taiwan Strait despite Chinese warnings

Taiwan News – May 29, 2026

Featuring: Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla, APF Canada

Excerpt: Ahead of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Canada, a Canadian naval frigate transited the Taiwan Strait last week despite earlier warnings from Beijing’s ambassador to Canada against such actions.

Vice-President of Research and Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada Vina Nadjibulla told The Globe and Mail that Canada’s actions in the South China Sea and East China Sea are being closely watched by Beijing, Tokyo, Taipei, Australia, and the U.S. She said the latest transit signals Canada’s intention to maintain an independent Indo-Pacific strategy.

“It shows that Canada is committed to upholding international law and ensuring that international waterways, such as the Taiwan Strait, remain open to all countries, including Canada,” Nadjibulla said.

Nadjibulla added that Canada must simultaneously pursue multiple policy goals, including deepening limited economic co-operation with China, one of the key objectives of Wang Yi’s visit, while also maintaining a firm position on broader national security issues.

Canadian manufacturer pivots to 'huge' market in India as the 2 countries try to strike trade deal

CBC News (Windsor) – May 29, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: Vina Nadjibulla of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada said this is a pivotal moment for the two countries.

“India is an important part of Canada's diversification agenda," Nadjibulla said. "We're trying to reduce our overreliance on the U.S., and India is one of the fastest-growing major economies. It has a growing middle class. Its economy is really complementary to Canada's.

“It has a need for energy, for food, technology, for investment — all the things that Canada is able to provide. So there is an interest on the part of Canada to do more when it comes to commercial and economic relations with India.”

For India, too, Nadjibulla said, Canada is also an important trade partner. She said the two countries are in a “full reset” mode and the momentum for a free trade agreement is in full swing, with two rounds of negotiations already completed.

While it’s an ambitious timeline, Nadjibulla said it’s needed to bring more predictability to the markets.

Foreign minister visit signifies China’s interest in ‘deepening partnership’ with Canada

CTV News – May 29, 2026

Featuring: Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy, APF Canada

Excerpt: “[The visit] shows that China is also interested in deepening a partnership because of what they can get from Canada but also because of the kind of messaging that China wants to send to the U.S., with whom China is, of course, in a strategic competition for influence.

“There's also going to be discussions around investment. Canada wants to have more investment for our own economic growth and resilience. But on the other hand, of course, there are sectors in which we don't want to have Chinese investment because of national security concerns, because of economic security concerns. So, there would need to be some clarity about what are those guardrails? What kind of investment from China is welcome in what sectors? And where we would actually continue to hold the red line?

“Of course, there will also be sensitive discussions on issues of foreign interference,
transnational repression, national security, rule of law concerns. A lot of that has been behind closed doors. I think it will be important for Canadians to be reassured that Canada is standing firm on those while we are trying to negotiate some economic trade and commercial benefits from this relationship.”

Dans l'actualité

Réactions médiatiques de la FAP Canada aux derniers enjeux et événements en Asie