International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is expected to meet U.S., Indian and European officials as Ottawa works to reduce its economic dependence on the United States.
Trade ministers from the world’s largest economies are set to conclude two days of G20 meetings in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on Thursday, October 1, amid ongoing global trade disruptions and uncertainty surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies.
Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu is expected to meet U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer as Ottawa continues efforts to strengthen its international trade relationships and address tensions with Washington.
However, formal trade negotiations between Canada and the United States remain under the responsibility of Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc.
Sidhu is also scheduled to hold discussions with representatives from India and the European Union as Canada prepares for two significant diplomatic engagements later this year.
The meetings come ahead of the Canada-EU summit in Montreal in October and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to Canada in December.
The G20 gathering takes place against the backdrop of widespread trade uncertainty, driven in large part by the Trump administration’s tariff policies and their impact on international commerce.
Canada has been seeking to diversify its export markets and reduce its economic reliance on the United States following repeated American tariffs on Canadian goods.
In a media statement, Sidhu said he intends to use the meetings to promote Canada as an open, predictable and rules-based trading partner.
The discussions provide Ottawa with an opportunity to strengthen economic ties with major international partners while navigating ongoing trade tensions with its largest trading partner.
