In the News

Should Canada Pivot to China? | TVO Today Live

TVO Today Live, December 13, 2025 (Recorded on December 4, 2025)

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

Excerpt: Nadjibulla joined Constantine Karayannopoulos from the Canada China Business Council, The Hon. Mary Ng, former Minister of International Trade of Canada and Lynette Ong from the University of Toronto (and APF Canada Senior Fellow), with host Steve Pakin at St.Lawrence Hall in Toronto for a live panel discussion on Canada's diplomatic renewal with China. 

She notes that when Canada does "trade with China... there are risks involved." Being "over dependent on China for certain trade, in the sector like canola, [Canada] opens itself up to potential retaliation when there are disagreements with China on diplomatic or political issues." 

More than anything, she emphasizes a need to "cautious, clear-eyed, and de-risk at the same time as we deepen trade with China," such as by doing "less in critical sectors and looking to other parts of Asia" for economic diversification.

She also discusses what she calls Mark Carney's "variable geometry of engagement" with China, wherein "certain interests may align, but [Canada] needs to be clear-eyed that our values do not," promoting a degree of "selective engagement."

Canada’s China reset just got much harder

The Hill Times, December 11, 2025

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

Excerpt: In a new op-ed by Vina Nadjibulla, published by The Hill Times, she unpacks U.S. President Donald Trump’s national security strategy, released on December 4, that "places new constraints on Canada’s China policy at the very moment Ottawa is attempting to stabilize relations with Beijing. It marks a decisive shift in how Washington, D.C. sees China, its allies, and its own neighbourhood...

For Canada, these shifts matter. They redefine the strategic environment in which Prime Minister Mark Carney is attempting to recalibrate Canada’s relationship with China and diversify partnerships in the Indo-Pacific."

Canada Confirms Indonesia as a Priority Partner in the Agri-Food Sector

Bogor Raya Daily, December 11, 2025

Featuring: Barrett Bingley, Asia Regional Director, APF Canada

Excerpt: "Bingley, Regional Director for Asia for the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada ), emphasized that the current cooperation environment between Indonesia and Canada is at its strongest point in history, particularly in the sectors of food security , agribusiness, processed food, cold chain logistics, and food safety technology. 

He conveyed this in his remarks at the “Canada in Asia: Momentum Jakarta” event held on December 10, 2025. In his speech, Bingley commended all the organizing partners—from the Canadian Embassy , ​​ICCC, GAPMMI, Kadin, CABC, to PIIS AGRO—who he said played a significant role in broadening the bridges of economic collaboration between the two countries. He stated that the successful implementation of the Momentum series in Manila, Ho Chi Minh City, and finally Jakarta, demonstrated the region's enthusiasm for the strategic partnership with Canada ."

Canada Aims to Expand Agrifood Co-operation with Indonesia

Borne News (Indonesia) , December 10, 2025

Featuring: Barrett Bingley, Asia Regional Director, APF Canada

Excerpt: At Canada-in-Asia: Momentum Jakarta, speakers explored Canada's growing agrifood co-operation with Indonesia and how "Canada commodities, such as wheat, soybeans, and potash [can] help meeting growing food needs and encourage agricultural activity" in the Indo-Pacific region. 

Asia Regional Director Barrett Bingley highlighted the opportunities for deepening agrifood collaboration through Canada and Indonesia's Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA).

"There are many different areas to build deeper partnerships, both in development and commercial aspects, to help Indonesia achieve its national targets," he told Borne News.

The Ministry of Trade offers tropical fruit to Canada following the signing of the ICA-CEPA.

Antara News, December 10, 2025

Featuring: Canada-in-Asia: Momentum Jakarta 

Excerpt: "The Ministry of Trade [of Indonesia] is offering to expand trade cooperation through tropical fruit exports to Canada following the signing of the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (ICA-CEPA).

The Director General of International Trade Negotiations at the Ministry of Trade, Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono, stated at the Canada–In-Asia: Momentum Jakarta event in Jakarta on Wednesday that Indonesian and Canadian commodities are different and therefore can complement each other, one of which is in the horticultural sector."

Worst Best Job Ever

Politco - Canada Playbook, December 10, 2025

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

Excerpt:  Canadian Ambassador to the United States, Kristen Hillman, has announced she will step down from her role in the new year. Despite the current trade disruptions, "Hillman said her greatest accomplishment was working to secure the release of two Canadian men who spent more than 1,000 days arbitrarily imprisoned in China from 2018 to 2021." 

Nadjibulla, who led the campaign to secure the release of Michael Kovirg and Michael Spavor, told Politico that Hillman displayed “extraordinary determination, humanity, and strategic skill to an effort that demanded all three. We were fortunate to have her as our ambassador at such a critical time." 

Indonesia-Canada Agricultural Sector Collaboration Enters a New Era

Liputan 6 News (Indonesia) , December 10, 2025

Featuring: Canada-in-Asia: Momentum Jakarta 

Excerpt: "Cooperation between Indonesia and Canada in the agricultural sector has entered a new phase, considered stronger and more strategic than before. This is in line with the Indonesia-Canada Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

This was the focus of a panel discussion titled "Insights to Actions on Canada-Indonesia Partnerships in Agrifood," held as part of the Momentum Jakarta series. Attended by leaders from the agriculture and trade sectors, as well as government representatives from both countries, the discussion emphasized that collaboration must be translated into concrete action."

Liputan 6 highlights insights and takeaways from key speakers at APF Canada's Momentum event in Jakarta including Devi Rachmawati, Vice Chairwoman for Agriculture at the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), who notes that Indonesia needs "the right policies and technological support... Canada can enter this space through technology transfer and investment."

Canada shifts trade focus to ASEAN after tariff war with US

Anatara News (Indonesia), December 10, 2025

Featuring: Barrett Bingley, Asia Regional Director, APF Canada

Excerpt: "The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada) think tank stated that Canada is increasingly focusing on the ASEAN market after the tariff war with the United States  affected trade relations between the two countries.

APF Canada's Asia Regional Director, Barrett Bingley, said at the Canada–In-Asia: Momentum Jakarta event on Wednesday that Canada is now seeking new markets as it seeks to reduce its economic dependence on the US. He considers ASEAN to be the most promising region thanks to its young demographics and high Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth.

Bingley expressed confidence that Canada's trade growth would not come from Europe because the continent was not showing strong GDP growth.According to him, the global economic growth in the next few years will systematically be concentrated in several regions in Asia."

ICBC Annual National Convention 2025 | New Delhi | India–Canada Strategic Dialogue Highlights

Indo-Canadian Business Chamber, December 8, 2025

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

Excerpt: Experience the highlights video from the ICBC Annual National Convention 2025, held on November 24 at The Oberoi, New Delhi — a flagship forum convening senior leaders from government, industry, and institutions from India and Canada.

This year’s Convention brought forward powerful discussions on India–Canada economic collaboration, advanced manufacturing & innovation, clean energy and critical minerals, trade and investment, and sectoral growth opportunities. 

APF Canada was pleased to co-sponsor the conference. The event was part of an extended week of events and engagements focused on the Canada-India reset by Vice-President, Research & Strategy, Vina Nadjibulla. Learn more here. 

Martial law: Year after South Korea imposed it, where else is it in force?

Al Jazeera, December 3, 2025

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

Excerpt: Ukraine’s situation is closer to what Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research and Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, described as a “state of emergency, where governments activate special powers – such as curfews, bans on gatherings, or expanded policing – but within a constitutional framework that keeps civilian institutions, including parliament and the judiciary, formally in charge.

Regarding the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, Nadjibulla says “military commanders have taken over local administration, civilian courts have been sidelined, and open criticism of the regime or its proposed elections can lead to harsh punishment.” She described Myanmar as the “clearest example [of martial law] in the Asia Pacific."

Canadian businesses find their way into Vietnam

Z News, December 1, 2025

Featuring: Barrett Bingley, Asia Regional Director, APF Canada

Excerpt: Sharing on the sidelines of the "Momentum Ho Chi Minh City" event recently organized by the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada), Mr. Barrett Bingley, Asia Regional Director of APF Canada, commented that Vietnam is currently considered a "rising star" not only in Southeast Asia but also in the entire Indo-Pacific region. 

A New Australia-Canada-India Partnership

Policy Magazine, November 30, 2025

Featuring: David McKinnon, Senior Fellow, APF Canada

Excerpt: If the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation Partnership (ACITI) announced by Anthony Albanese, Mark Carney and Narendra Modi at the G20 summit in Johannesburg works, it will be unprecedented in economic, strategic, and symbolic terms.

The initiative, which includes co-operation on AI, clean energy, and critical minerals, has significant potential to enhance Canada’s image as a reliable partner in the Indo-Pacific, assuming our commitment has staying power...

Over the past year, I have been part of a productive track II (non-government) dialogue on the future of Canada-India relations, organized on the Canadian side by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada."

Canadian and Chinese businesses seek long-term investment opportunities in Vietnam

Dantri, November 27, 2025

Featuring: Barrett Bingley, Asia Regional Director, APF Canada

Excerpt: Momentum Ho Chi Minh City is part of the Canada-in-Asia Conference (CIAC26) to strengthen trade, investment and innovation relations. The Canadian fund representative emphasized that although Vietnam is a new market, it has a “particularly important” position in the Asian region.

...In the coming time, with the Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement (ACAFTA) expected to complete final negotiations in 2026, the representative of APF Canada expects trade between the two countries to continue to grow. In particular, Mr. Barrett Binley expressed his desire to find long-term partners in Vietnam in Canada's strong field of natural gas (LNG...).

Canadian and Chinese businesses seek long-term investment opportunities in Vietnam

Vietnam.VN, November 27, 2025

Featuring: Barrett Bingley, Asia Regional Director, APF Canada

Excerpt: The young population and the middle class are really growing. I emphasize the two words really, because many Southeast Asian countries also say they are growing their middle class. But when I dig deeper, I find that it is only at the beginning, unlike Vietnam,” Mr Barrett Bingley, Director of the Asia [Regional Office in Singapore], Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada), shared at the Momentum Ho Chi Minh City event held on the morning of November 27.

Momentum Ho Chi Minh City is part of the Canada-in-Asia Conference (CIAC26) to strengthen trade, investment and innovation relations. The Canadian fund representative emphasized that although Vietnam is a new market, it has a “particularly important” position in the Asian region.

“...Especially since the CPTPP came into effect, trade between Vietnam and Canada has increased significantly. Statistics for the period 2019-2024 show that exports from Canada to Vietnam increased by 98.7% in goods and by 17% in services. Currently, the value of Canadian exports to Vietnam has reached the billion USD mark, including soybean products, beef..."

Canada and India Reset Ties in a Realigning World

Policy Magazine, November 30, 2025

Featuring: Sanjay Ruparelia, Senior Fellow, APF Canada

Excerpt: The joint declaration that India and Canada issued from the sidelines of the South Africa G20 this week announcing that the two countries are seeking a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) is a significant development.

...The announcement in Johannesburg follows the reappointment of high commissioners in Ottawa and New Delhi, and multiple visits between cabinet ministers and senior officials in charge of foreign affairs, international trade, and national security.

...Yet, many factors are driving both sides to address serious issues, grasp economic opportunities and lessen their respective vulnerability to the United States. Perhaps most striking, the pace and direction of steps taken by the Carney government suggests that it seeks to enhance Canada’s strategic autonomy through a more multi-aligned foreign policy, a principle long practiced by India.

A Chip Odyssey delves into history to reveal how Taiwan conquered the semiconductor industry

Pan Vancouver, November 27, 2025

Featuring: Karen Hui, Research Scholar, Greater China, APF Canada

Excerpt: In 1976, the Taiwanese government made a fateful decision that transformed the future of technology around the world. This came when it sent a team of young Taiwanese engineers to RCA Corporation’s research and development centre in America to learn more about semiconductors. That set the stage for Taiwan’s stunning rise to become the world leader in semiconductors—one of the great industrial triumphs of the past 50 years.

The small East Asian island economy now produces more than 60 per cent of the world supply and more than 90 per cent of the most advanced chips, according to Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada research scholar Karen Hui. And the tale of how this occurred is told in a captivating new feature-length documentary:  A Chip Odyssey (造山者-世紀的賭注).

Indonesia and APFC Reinforce Strategic Indo-Pacific Partnership

Jakarta Globe, November 27, 2025

Featuring: Jeff Nankivell, President & CEO, APF Canada; Erin Williams, Director of Programs, APF Canada

Excerpt: Indonesia and Canada strengthened their policy and academic ties this week as the Foreign Policy Strategy Agency of Indonesia’s Foreign Affairs Ministry signed a circular Memorandum of Understanding with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada).

... Ambassador Muhsin Syihab and Consul General Nina Kurnia met with APF Canada President and CEO Jeff Nankivell and Director of Programs Erin Williams to discuss broader avenues for joint work. The two sides explored ways to expand scholar-to-scholar co-operation, academic partnerships, and people-to-people contact to advance Indonesia–Canada collaboration in the Indo-Pacific.

Saskatchewan soft power fuelled the Canada-India reset on trade

The Globe and Mail, November 25, 2025

Featuring: APF Canada's Background Note: Economic Resilience and Critical Minerals Supply Chains

Excerpt: The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, meanwhile, has recently highlighted the importance of leveraging “subnational strengths” to further bilateral co-operation on critical minerals.

“As federal initiatives gain momentum on both sides, the next phase of Canada–India collaboration will also increasingly hinge on subnational engagement," states a recent background note published by the not-for-profit organization.

“In both countries, provinces and states hold jurisdiction over natural resources and anchor key critical mineral projects, processing facilities, and investment ecosystems.”
 

Exclusive: Trump Unintentionally Pushes India, Canada To Reset Ties? ‘US No Longer Reliable Partner’

Hook Global, November 25, 2025

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

Excerpt: Nadjibulla joins Victor Fedeli, Minister of Economic Development of Ontario, for a wide-ranging discussion on the Canada-India trade partnership and the future of bilateral relations. 

"The level of ambition now is to have a relationship that's much more fit for purpose in the current global moment, where both Canada and India need each other more as they try to reduce over reliance on the U.S. and continue to manage their relationship with China."

"There is too much at stake for the relationship to just be left... in that diplomatic freeze." The Trump Administration's tariff polices have "accelerated everything and completely changed the game in terms of what's possible" in economic diversification. 

Relaunch of Canada and India Talks

L'essentiel via CPAC, November 24, 2025

Featuring: Jeff Nankivell, President & CEO, APF Canada (at the 20:30 min. mark)

Excerpt: Nankivell notes that trade talks between Canada and India initially kicked off 15 years ago and "now there is a chance for a new beginning and the conditions for both parties are not the same as they were before." 

He adds that India could play a "very important role" in Canada's economic diversification strategy, including toward the Indo-Pacific. "There are many areas where [the Canadian and Indian] economies are complementary and that is very promising" for future trade negotiations. India may be more "motivated than it was 15 years ago" to diversify its economic partnerships, he said.