In the News

Canada’s Defence Industrial Strategy needs an Indo-Pacific gear

The Hill Times, February 23, 2026

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

Excerpt: "Canada’s new Defence Industrial Strategy is more than a procurement update. In an era of great-power rivalry, economic coercion, and the weaponization of trade and global supply chains, the strategy correctly recognizes that national defence and economic security can no longer be treated as separate files.

"The strategy rightly commits Canada to new defence-industrial partnerships with the European Union and the United Kingdom. It also signals intent to collaborate more closely with Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. That is a welcome start. Yet, the Indo-Pacific is larger and more economically dynamic than these four advanced economies."

Canada’s pragmatic turn towards China is not without strategic limits

East Asia Forum, February 21, 2026

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

Excerpt: "Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s January 2026 visit to China was significant not only in recalibrating the bilateral relationship but also in signalling a broader shift in Canadian foreign policy. The shift became clearer at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where Carney articulated Canada’s desire to build greater strategic autonomy, diversify partnerships and pursue a more pragmatic, interests-based and independent foreign policy.

This recalibration is necessary in an evolving world order defined less by rules and predictability and more by leverage and choice. But since the United States remains Canada’s most important economic and security partner, Ottawa faces a persistent dilemma in diversifying its economic relationships without jeopardising preferential access to the US market. With Washington increasingly willing to use tariffs and trade pressure as tools of coercion, Canada’s dilemma has become more acute."

Ahead of Mark Carney’s India Trip: Energy as the Anchor of the Bilateral Reset

Policy Magazine, February 18, 2026

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

Excerpt: "Canada is not positioned to displace Gulf suppliers or suddenly dominate India’s import mix. But it can credibly become part of India’s diversified supply portfolio — particularly for crude oil and uranium in the near term, and LNG and critical minerals over the medium term.

In an environment where supply security and political reliability are increasingly priced into energy decisions, Canada’s reputation as a stable, rules-based producer carries weight."

FinDev Canada pledges $30m for IIF to support low-carbon economic growth

The Jakarta Post, February 16, 2026

Featuring: APF Canada's Canada-in-Asia Conference 2026

Excerpt: Canada’s bilateral development finance institution, FinDev Canada, has committed to a US$30 million loan for Indonesia Infrastructure Finance (IIF), strengthening low-carbon economic growth in Indonesia through the financing of sustainable infrastructure projects. 

Announced during the annual Canada-in-Asia Conference (CIAC) organized by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada from Feb. 10 to 11 in Singapore, the loan marks FinDev Canada’s first-ever investment in Indonesia.

Jimmy Lai Sentenced to 20 Years: Does China not care about international pressure?

Radio Canada International, February 13, 2026

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

Excerpt: On Monday (February 9), a Hong Kong court sentenced Jimmy Lai, founder of Apple Daily, to 20 years in prison for conspiracy to collude with foreign forces and endangering national security, which is the longest sentence since the implementation of the Hong Kong National Security Law.

Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President, Research & Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, . . . [expressed] deep disappointment with the verdict.

"Jimmy Lai’s sentence underscores the extent to which Hong Kong’s judicial system has been fully subsumed into Beijing’s broader political and security framework," said Nadjibulla.

She believes that under the current circumstances, sustained public pressure on China is unlikely, on its own, to produce results. Beijing has shown that it is willing to absorb reputational costs, particularly when it frames these cases as matters of national security. However, this does not mean the outside world has no leverage. Calls for Mr. Lai’s release on humanitarian grounds remain the most credible and potentially effective avenue. 

‘Number one obstacle’: Canada wants to feed Asia but complex regulations slow market access

Antara News, February 25, 2026

Featuring: APF Canada's Canada-in-Asia Conference 2026

Excerpt: Canada believes it can help meet Asia’s growing food needs, but an industry leader says complex regulations are slowing market access, raising costs and creating uncertainty for companies.

APF Canada calls for new Canada-Asia partnerships in 2026 CIAC

Antara News, February 25, 2026

Featuring: APF Canada's Canada-in-Asia Conference 2026

Excerpt: President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, Jeff Nankivell, called for new Canada-Asia partnerships during a Singapore conference, citing the need for collaboration amid increasingly uncertain global conditions.

"We know what needs doing and the fact that you are in this room means that you are already doing it," Nankivell said in his speech at the 2026 Canada in Asia Conference (CIAC) on Tuesday.

He noted that the world is entering "uncharted territory," requiring countries to act collectively. Nankivell highlighted that in early February, Canada became the first country threatened with sweeping tariffs by the new Donald Trump administration.

Nankivell described the CIAC2026 forum as a "common table" to build new partnerships in the face of an uncertain future.

En Thaïlande, le conflit frontalier ravive le nationalisme et écarte les progressistes du pouvoir

Le Devoir, 11 fevrier 2026

Mettant en vedette : Alexandre Veilleux, L’auteur est gestionnaire principal de programme à la Fondation Asie Pacifique du Canada.

Extrait : Les électeurs thaïlandais étaient appelés, dimanche, à faire deux choix déterminants : élire le parti chargé de former le prochain gouvernement et décider de l’ouverture d’un processus de révision constitutionnelle. Après plusieurs sondages favorables au parti progressiste, le Parti du peuple, beaucoup prévoyaient un élan démocratique.

Mais la « vague progressiste » annoncée ne s’est pas matérialisée. Le parti conservateur pro‑royaliste Bhumjaithai, qui a axé sa campagne sur le patriotisme et la défense du territoire face au regain de tensions frontalières avec le Cambodge, est finalement sorti vainqueur. Cette victoire confirme la capacité des partis conservateurs à mobiliser l’électorat en période d’incertitude, en s’appuyant sur un discours nationaliste axé sur la sécurité.

Facing a mercurial Trump, countries scramble to forge new alliances

Al Jazeera, February 10, 2026

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

Excerpt: “Countries are trying to diversify economic and security partnerships,” said Vina Nadjibulla.

“Many US allies, especially in the Indo-Pacific region, won’t decouple from the US – the US is too important, especially for security – but they are all looking for a US-plus strategy to minimise risks."

Carney lunches with Luxembourg’s Frieden

The Hill Times, February 9, 2026

Featuring: APF Canada's Canada-in-Asia Conference 2026

Excerpt: Government officials, diplomats, lobby groups, academics, policy experts, and business leaders will gather for a three-day Canada-in-Asia conference taking place in Singapore starting today. 

International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu will speak briefly at the summit tomorrow, alongside his Singaporean counterpart Gan Siow Huang. 

Organized by the Asia-Pacific Foundation of Canada, the event will include panel talks on potential areas of collaboration, including critical minerals, education, energy and natural resources, finance, digital infrastructure and AI. 

Other attendees mentioned in the schedule include Canada’s High Commissioner to India Chris Cooter, the CEO of Trans Mountain Mark Maki, Ontario’s Trade Minister Victor Fedeli, the chief investment officer of FinDev Canada Paulo Martelli, the director of natural resources at the Macdonald-Laurier Institute Heather Exner-Pirot, the president and CEO of Universities Canada Gabriel Miller, among others. The agenda is detailed at this link. 

Canada’s diplomatic tightrope act in Asia

Canadian Affairs, February 9, 2026

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

Excerpt: "The expanding network reflects Ottawa’s effort to ensure its Indo-Pacific pivot is not defined solely by China — or even by its closest Northeast Asian allies — but by a wider web of security and economic relationships.

From Nadjibulla’s perspective, walking that diplomatic tightrope is demanding but doable.

“As long as … the government’s narrative is clear, nuanced and sophisticated, and clearly outlines what it is that we’re trying to do with China and what will remain off limits, I think that would be understood in the region.

“ But for that, we do need to communicate as clearly as possible, and to engage in a lot of diplomacy with these other partners.”

B.C. forestry looks to India, sees plenty of chal­lenges

Time Colonist, February 7, 2026

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

Excerpt: “We could be entering at the start of a period when the Indian middle class will continue to grow, and there’s an opportunity now to capitalize [on] that,” said Nadjibulla, adding that even a fraction of the market could be meaningful for B.C. producers.

“I think it is one of those growth markets that, while maybe far away and sometimes complicated, really needs to be explored now that we’re facing these pressures from the U.S.”

Engaging Canada and China

Canadian Global Affairs Institue - The Global Exchange Podcast, February 3, 2026

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

Excerpt: On the Canada-China trade deal struck last month on PM Carney's trip to Beijing, Nadjibulla says that the deal resituates Canada's approach to China but that "there are a lot of conversations that need to happen here with Canadians.... about all the profound shifts to [Canada's] foreign policy and engagements."

She emphasized that while the joint statement is from both Canada and China, the provisional document on the agreement is strictly from the Canadian side and acts as "Canada's government expectations and understandings of that agreement." 

Nadjibulla also emphasizes that Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy needs to be revised at the moment Canada is experiencing "because you can't just have a regional approach to engaging the world, we need an overall situation of Canadian foreign policy... and a national security strategy."

High geostrategic stakes as South Korea pursues mega submarine deal with Canada

The Strait Times, February 3, 2026

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

Excerpt: According to Nadjibulla, the South Korea-Canada Security and Defence Cooperation Partnership underscores “how closely Ottawa is linking this [submarine] procurement to broader defence-industrial cooperation”.

At a time when there is domestic pressure to protect domestic manufacturing, “Canada is explicitly signalling that CPSP is not only about meeting military requirements."

“It is also about industrial strategy – creating high-paying jobs, building sovereign sustainment capacity, and using a generational programme to strengthen Canada’s marine defence industrial base over the fleet’s operational life."

Trump cuts India tariffs to 18% as Modi agrees to stop buying Russian oil

Al Jazeera, February 2, 2026

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

Excerpt: “Prime Minister Modi welcomed the news [of reduced US tariffs on imports from India] but didn’t reassert President Trump’s claim that India was lowering tariffs on U.S. goods,” pointed out Vina Nadjibulla. 

“It looks like for now a deal around tariffs and de-escalation of tariffs…. It’s still an important breakthrough.”

Trump tariff threat to Canada mere 'bluster', expert says

AWANI International, February 2, 2026

Featuring Barrett Bingley, Asia Regional Director, APF Canada

Excerpt: Bingley responds to questions regarding the integrity of United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (CUSMA) by noting that tariff threats following Prime Minister Carney's Davos speech are simply more political posturing by the Trump Administration. "Under CUSMA... in the non-market FTA clause... any signatory has a remedy" to terminate the agreement if one partner signs a trade deal with a non-market economy, namely China. 

Despite the threat of tariffs, Bingley argues that the "U.S. buyer... would be the one primarily paying the tariffs" on challenging to 'replace' Canadian products in the U.S. market, such as heavy oil and aluminum, not Canadians. 

Saturday Mornings: Variable Geometry & a New Global Order: What Carney’s Davos Message Means for Asia

Saturday Morning Sit‑Down (podcast), February 1, 2026

Featuring Barrett Bingley, Asia Regional Director, APF Canada

Excerpt: Bingley says Prime Minister Carney's speech in Davos "struck the moment" for Canadians and a global audience because "people had been waiting for someone to crystallize what everyone had been feeling."

However, this 'variable geometry' strategy is easier said than done, as most middle powers, Bingley says, "prefer the global governance mechanisms that are unfortunately breaking down... It's a lot more work, but what's the other path? If your other choice is either bandwagoning or being picked off by a great power... then you're probably going to put the work in."

Bingley adds that while the emphasis on the speech was on the U.S., it's important to consider that other great powers at play. "At a minimum this speech was about the U.S. and China... [and] Russia should probably be included in this." 

Canada-Asia Engagement and Global Strategic Shifts

Channel10 - Israel’s Economic Channel, February 1, 2026

Featuring Jeff Nankivell, President & CEO, APF Canada

Excerpt: Nankivell says "there is a deeper [global] strategic shift on the part of Canada" made apparent in PM Carney's widely recognized speech from the World Economic Forum in Davos last month. 

"The opening to China, and really the re-establishment of a more normal bilateral dialogue after a period of a seven-year freeze, is part of that "variable geometry" strategy to "take the world as it is, not as we wish it to be."

"[Carney] is signalling that Canada is going to pursue partnership with countries even where we have deep disagreements on some issues around values because of the circumstances that we are in, so it's not just about what's happening with China."

Trump-era trade stress leads Western powers to China

The Daily Star, January 30, 2026

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

Excerpt: Carney’s visit “signalled a fundamentally new approach to how Ottawa intends to navigate a more fragmented, contested and uncertain world," wrote Vina Nadjibulla, Vice-President Research & Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

Restraining Trump’s America: Carney’s Soft Balancing Needs Global Support

Policy Magazine, January 28, 2026

Featuring T.V. Paul, Distinguished Fellow, APF Canada

Excerpt: "Prime Minister Mark Carney’s call in Davos for joint activism by middle powers to resist U.S. President Donald Trump’s aggressive neo-imperial policies deserves global support, especially from the states most affected by them.

... The intent of the call is to raise the reputational and normative costs of aggressive policies, thereby affecting the administration’s cost–benefit calculations and influencing American public opinion."