In the News

CBC'S Natasha Fatah speaks with Vina Nadjibulla of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada

CBC National News, June 15, 2025

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

Excerpt: 

Natasha Fatah: "We've heard repeatedly for multiple leaders that the focus is going to be on the economy and in terms of security, the main focus is on Ukraine. But there's no denying the major elephant in the room right now in the last two, three days has been this incredible escalation of fighting between Israel and Iran. How exactly should the G7 manage this?"

Vina Nadjibulla: "Absolutely, you're right, Natasha, that the agenda was already quite full, but of course, the developments in the Middle East are so concerning that it has to be dealt with. And the G7 offers a great platform for leaders to have face-to-face discussions about the ongoing situation, to call for de-escalation. We've seen that a number of individual leaders have already done so, including Prime Minister Carney. They're all in agreement that the situation needs to be contained, that we need to avoid a wider war, and being a G7 statement, a united statement on the issue, I think would be a great outcome for this summit, and something that certainly Prime Minister Carney and others will be working towards."

CTV National News: Global crises set the stage for high-stakes G7 Summit in Alberta

CTV National, June 14, 2025

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

Excerpt: 

With global tensions rising, CTV’s Colton Praill previews key issues set to dominate the G7 Summit in Alberta, including the crisis in the Middle East and Canada's invitation to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

"We have to find a way to deal with partners who might be difficult, but nonetheless, are important to our economy," said the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada's Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla.

Iran-Israel tensions and an unpredictable Trump to dominate G7

Al Jazeera, June 14, 2025

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

Excerpt: 

Even before this latest flare-up [Israel-Iran], the G7 in its 51st year comes “at a hinge moment because of economic disruptions and but also because of geopolitical shifts,” said Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada. Nadjibulla was referring to the global tariffs unleashed earlier this year by Trump as well as a shifting foreign policy for the US under his leadership, with old alliances no longer cared for, as well as an “America First” message.

Against that backdrop, “Prime Minister Carney has been trying to meet the moment and be as purposeful as possible,” Nadjibulla added, pointing to the list of priorities Canada announced last week ahead of the summit.

That list focuses on strengthening global peace and security, including by countering foreign interference and transnational crime, as well as improving responses to wildfires; spurring economic growth by improving energy security, and bringing in public-private partnerships to spur investments.

The priorities announced, important domestically but also internationally, are a “testament” to Carney’s intentions, and “building the economy is front and centre,” said Nadjibulla.

Growing Israel-Iran conflict threatens to dominate G7 summit

The Globe and Mail, June 13, 2025

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

Excerpt: 

A growing conflict between Israel and Iran threatens to dominate, or derail, the economic prosperity agenda at the Group of Seven summit hosted by Canada that begins Sunday in a Rocky Mountain resort.

Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, said many world leaders are coming to the G7 hoping to talk to Mr. Trump about resolving U.S. tariff threats and the attendance of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky means Russia’s war on Ukraine will not get short shrift.

“Given that Ukraine will be at the table, and given that so many other governments want to discuss tariffs and trade with President Trump, I don’t think those issues can just be ignored,” she said.

What are the stakes for Canada as it hosts the G7 leaders’ summit?

Global News, June 13, 2025

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

Excerpt: 

Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy with the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, said Trump’s election and the growing threat environment requires a “different approach” to diplomatic relations, which is on display under Carney.

The invitation to Modi was particularly necessary, she said, given the size of India’s economy and strategic importance. She added that restoring the relationship with India could lead to further co-operation on the issue of transnational violence and foreign interference.

“I think we need to recognize that in today’s more dangerous world, we need to be able to engage and have high-level talks with counties with whom we have serious disagreements,” she told Global News. “Diplomacy is not a favour to our friends – it’s a tool to advance our interests and protect our values.”

Trump Ripping Up the Free Trade Playbook Comes With $1 Trillion Cost

Bloomberg,  June 13, 2025

Featuring: APF Canada Distinguished Fellow, Yves Tiberghien

Excerpt: "The trade war shock of Trump 2.0 in Canada is immense.

As such, Tiberghien notes that“the name of the game is diversification” for Canada as it reconsiders it's relationship with the united States. “There is a huge incentive now for the government and private sector to search for alternatives and there are only two directions: Asia and Europe. With Asia, the starting point is CPTPP.”

Chipmaker TSMC's climbs to Taiwan's 'sacred mountain'

Les Echos, June 11, 2025

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

Excerpt: Looking at TMSC (Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company) Nadjibulla expresses hopes that "TSMC's American roots will allow 'large-scale external investment in semiconductors to remain possible outside of Asia,'  if Canada, in turn, manages to 'differentiate its value proposition.' And to fit in with the group's thinking, Canadians will have to 'improve the range of financial support, streamline authorizations, and deepen partnerships' with companies based in Taiwan." 

Canada Goose Built a Luxury Empire by Betting Big on China

The Walrus,  June 10, 2025

Featuring: APF Canada Senior Fellow, Jia Wang

Excerpt: Looking back to the 1980's market reforms and subsequent boom in the 2010's, Wang notes that this was the time in which foreign brands sought to break into the Chinese domestic market. 

“China was the land of opportunity for many decades. It was the place to go if you wanted to grow your business."

Values alone cannot build serious foreign policy

The Globe and Mail,  June 9, 2025

Featuring: APF Canada Senior Fellow, David McKinnon

Excerpt: In an op-ed for The Globe and Mail, McKinnon laminates on Canada's foreign policy missteps. He notes that "for Canada to navigate this [global] disorder, our international engagement needs to be at the centre of policy and public discourse. We can no longer outsource our prosperity and security to global systems or allies or think that our seat at high tables like the Group of Seven is inevitable (or, indeed, that the G7 retains the relevance it had). The burden is now ours, guided by interests, values and a renewed sense of identity and common purpose."

What does Trump 2.0 mean for Canada-China relations?

The Globe and Mail,  June 9, 2025

Featuring: APF Canada Senior Fellow, Lynette Ong

Excerpt: "The Second Trump Administration has brought the United States-led liberal order to the brink. its treachery of the very notion of western alliance has upended enduring security and trade pacts among western democracies when many of its allies such as Canada sent troops to fight along side American forces in Afghanistan after the 9/11 attacks." 

International relations expert says India should have a seat at G7 table

Global News  June 7, 2025

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

Excerpt: Nadjibulla notes that India's invitation to the G7 Summit was a "necessary decision" that "speaks to the significance of India as a regional and increasingly global power." 

At the same, she reminds Canadians that the "relationship with India is complex and has many dimensions." She follows that the legal and diplomatic processes and channels between Canada and India "will need to continue. So this invitation is in no way saying those issues are not important and will not be dealt with." 

Modi’s G7 invite by Canada welcomed by industry

Hindustan Times, June 7, 2025

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

Excerpt: Regarding India's invitation to the G7 Summit, Nadjjibulla characterizes it as "not a concession, but a strategic necessity” for “Canada’s own interests, for the credibility of the G7 and for a rules-based order now strained by Moscow, Beijing and Washington.”

“With diplomatic finesse and long-term vision, Canada can both defend its values and strengthen ties with India. A G7 invitation should be only the first step in that process."

image Why did Carney invite Indian PM Modi to G7? | Power & Politics

Hindustan Times, June 7, 2025

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

Excerpt: "It was a difficult decision,... but it was a necessary one... it is important for India to be at the table because the decisions the G7 are going to have with the larger network of partners have immediate implications for India and will then need to be followed up on by India

"It sets the stage for the long road ahead in rebuilding this relationships and finding justice and accountability for the concerns Canada has. 

"We can't just engage in diplomacy with those whom we like. Diplomacy is not a gift to our friends, its not a concessions, its an necessary tool to advance our interests and defends our values."

Prime Minister Carney’s G7 invite to Modi sends ‘wrong’ message, Liberal MP says

Global News, June 7, 2025

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

Excerpt: Nadjibulla notes that Canada is "in a different moment when it comes to international relations" with India compared to the other G6 nations

“From tariffs to the trade agenda and to the realignment that we’re seeing around the world of different powers, I think it’s important for Canada to approach diplomacy differently." 

The China Challenge in Critical Minerals: The Case for Asymmetric Resilience

The Diplomat, June 6, 2025

Featuring: APF Canada Senior Fellow, Pascale Massot

Excerpt: "China is the dominant player in global critical minerals supply chains, especially in the midstream segments... As geopolitical strategic competition with China heats up, the realization that this paradigm is ill adapted to the pursuit of economic security has set Western governments scrambling to put together a set of responses building on the de-risking agenda" 

Massot proposes a "asymmetric resilience" model when it comes to critical mineral supply chains which would "recalibrate the balance of strength and vulnerability between China and the West by modulating each side’s exposure to risk and developing targeted areas of dominance along global supply chains."

The South Koreans' Great Escape

La Presse,  June 5, 2025

Featuring: APF Canada Distinguished Fellow, Yves Tiberghien

Excerpt: Looking at the newly minted presidential election results from South Korea, Yves notes that "Even though the electorate rejected martial law, Korea remains split in two. The divisions are primarily regional. The southeast of the country is strongly conservative. The southwest supported Lee by 80%. There are also divisions based on gender and age.

"After the election, these divisions remain, as do the rhetoric that comes with them. Each side sees the other as an existential threat."

Canada’s Delusional Diversification Strategy to China

WGI World,  June 5, 2025

Featuring: APF Canada Senior Fellow, Stephen Nagy

Excerpt: "It is crucial to recognize that Trump’s trade policies, erratic as they sometimes appear, represent not a rupture but a continuation of an American economic reorientation that began under President George W. Bush and accelerated through subsequent administrations. 

"Each presidency has grown increasingly wary of unfettered free trade, recognizing America’s need to rebuild its industrial base to compete with China... Trump 2.0 represents not a break from bipartisan consensus but its most aggressive manifestation."

Smarter trade data is needed for companies and governments to combat a 'thicker' border

Foreign Policy,  June 5, 2025

Featuring: APF Canada Distinguished Fellow, Danielle Goldfarb

Excerpt: In a special feature for Foreign Policy, Goldfarb notes that Canada needs "to upgrade its supply chain visibility, especially as the country seeks to deepen trade links with Europe and reduce its relative exposure to the U.S. market."

Modi deserves a spot in the room at the G7 Leaders’ Summit

The Globe and Mail, June 5, 2025

Author: APF Canada Vice-President Research & Strategy Vina Nadjibulla

Note: This op-ed was published after the original list of invitees was reported Thursday and before the decision to invite Prime Minister Modi was made Friday. 

Excerpt: "With Canada hosting the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Alberta later this month, Prime Minister Mark Carney faced an early foreign-policy test: whether to invite India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi."

In an op-ed published in The Globe and Mail, Nadjibulla highlights that while "some voices in Canada... argued New Delhi should be kept at arm’s length until the investigation into Hardeep Singh Nijjar’s 2023 murder is complete. That impulse... underestimates what is at stake for Canada’s own interests, for the credibility of the G7 and for a rules-based order." 

"Inviting Mr. Modi was not a concession, but a strategic necessity."

Beijing envoy urges Ottawa to end tariffs on Chinese EVs and warns against ‘Cold War mentality’

The Globe and Mail  June 4, 2025

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

Excerpt: Despite China remaining an important trading partner in sectors like  agriculture and energy, Nadjibulla notes that the “concerns that were present with respect to China just a few months ago are still there. Just because our relationship with the U.S. is now difficult, it does not mean that those national-security concerns or economic-security concerns have disappeared.”