Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is due to leave Ottawa on Wednesday, November 11, for a 10-day tour of summits in Ireland, the Philippines, Cambodia and China. The trip is expected to cover about 36,000 kilometres as Canada pursues trade agreements and security partnerships across Europe and Asia.

Trade and security on a packed route

Carney’s first stop is Dublin for the European Political Community summit on November 12. Canada will again be the only non-European country represented at the informal gathering, where Ukraine is expected to be a central topic. CBC also reported that European drone incursions, cyberattacks and proposals for a “drone wall” are likely to feature.

The Dublin meeting also comes amid discussion of closer Canadian ties with Europe. Carney and EU leaders have floated associate status for Canada, but the title has not been defined. The summit’s informal format allows leaders to hold bilateral conversations without negotiating a joint statement.

Carney is then due in Manila for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit, where he has a meeting scheduled with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Saturday and is set to address ASEAN leaders on Sunday. Canada is negotiating separate free-trade agreements with the Philippines and the 11-country bloc.

The agreements are not yet confirmed. CTV reported that both negotiations are set to be finalized during the visit, while The Globe and Mail, citing a person familiar with the matter, said the Philippines deal was expected to be concluded and announced. CBC described that bilateral agreement as closer to completion than the ASEAN deal.

Security ties are also on the Manila agenda. Canada has appointed a regional defence attaché based there; CBC reported that Canadian activities in the region include detecting dark vessels and patrols in contested waters. Former Canadian ambassador to China Guy Saint-Jacques said more military-to-military exchanges were expected.

Cambodia stop, China’s “guardrails”

The tour also includes the Francophonie summit in Cambodia, but the reported venue differs: CBC identified Siem Reap, while CTV placed Carney’s engagements in Phnom Penh. The two outlets also described Canada’s 2028 hosting role differently. CBC said Ottawa was interested and an announcement might come in Cambodia; CTV said Canada would host the summit in the Ottawa area.

Carney’s final listed stop is Shenzhen, China, for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on November 18–19. He is expected to meet President Xi Jinping privately. Carney said he plans to discuss global security and the countries’ economic partnership, which he described as deepening but subject to clear guardrails.

Canada’s ambassador to China has been absent for six months. Carney said a replacement has been selected and the two countries are still working through the appointment process. Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada president Jeff Nankivell said trust had been lost on both sides, while both governments wanted to advance ties and Canada remained cautious.

CTV reported that China had extended market access for Canadian canola meal and lobster in exchange for Canadian access for Chinese steel and aluminum. U.S. President Donald Trump is also expected to meet Xi in Shenzhen. CTV reported that Trump was set to meet Xi and Putin at the summit, but CBC said there was no word on a Russian proposal for a three-way meeting.