Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand Talks Trade Tensions, China

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Let's go as the UN General Assembly high-level meetings continue here in New York, right now in the UN Rose Garden. David Gura, Bloomberg This Weekend co-host and co-host of the Big Take podcast. He's sitting down with Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. David.

David Gura (0:23)

Tim, thank you very much. Anita Anand here with me on the East River, side of the East River.

Let me ask you first of all about the relationship between Canada and the US. Tuesday the 29th looms large here. I'm curious what dialogue, if any, is happening between the US and Canada now in advance of that deadline for an increase in these import tariffs.

Anita Anand (0:39)

So the dialogue between Canada and the US is strong across a number of areas. For example, I met with Secretary Rubio this week to discuss Arctic security. This is just an example of the many topics that he and I discuss.

I believe you're perhaps referring to trade and the trade relationship. And of course, that's being led by Minister LeBlanc and Janice Chourette. And that is work that continues between the trade teams. And we're very much looking forward to continuing that conversation so that the work moves forward.

David Gura (1:16)

Does it color these other conversations that you are having, the uncertainty surrounding that issue? Which again, it's not your remit principally, but...

Anita Anand (1:22)

Actually, Secretary Rubio and I coordinate on a number of topics. I mentioned Arctic Security and Defense. In addition, support for the Grand Gang Suppression Force for Haiti, as well as scam centers prevalent in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as Ukraine and the Middle East. And so, the work and the dialogue and the coordination on foreign policy between Canada and the United States continues, and I would say is strong.

David Gura (1:52)

In the early days after this rupture, to borrow a phrase from your Prime Minister, there were entreaties made from Canada to China, and here we have this week the US rolling out the red carpet quite literally for China. What do you see is the ideal relationship between Canada and China going forward? What do you say in the face of criticism that Canada perhaps is getting too close with China?

Anita Anand (2:11)

Well, I would say we're taking a step-by-step approach to resolve trade tensions that have been important to address specifically from our canola sector standpoint as well as on seafood and beef. And that is exactly what the Prime Minister did in his trip to China earlier this year. And we will continue to take a step-by-step approach forward in order to address things like trade tensions and look to see what other areas remain to be addressed.

David Gura (2:46)

He's asked for this kind of coming together of middle powers, as he's put it. What does that look like in recent months in real terms? What does that relationship look like?

Anita Anand (2:52)

Well, that's my speech on Saturday night, which I'm sure you'll be watching.

It's very much a speech about implementing the middle power strategy, ensuring that the vacuum that is left in the WTO or in geopolitical conflict environments is addressed by middle powers who want to work together for the interests of their domestic populations as well as for the global environment writ large. Let me give you some examples. Arctic security and defense. I met with the Nordic Five and the Baltic Three to continue to work within NATO and outside NATO to ensure that there is a strategy on Arctic security that addresses the current threat environment as we see Russian infrastructure moving further and further north towards the Arctic Circle. Further examples would be the Coalition of the Willing, working for the long term peace and security of Ukraine. And of course, the list goes on. Canada signed over 20 economic security and defense agreements across five continents over the past year, which allows access to about five billion consumers. This is work that is very important for us from a trade diversification strategy standpoint, as well as from a multilateral cooperation standpoint. So the work goes on in the middle power strategy. You will hear me speak about that on Saturday night.

David Gura (4:26)

When it comes to Ukraine, what is the solution that you were hoping for? And I wonder if you feel like Canada has a loud enough voice in these conversations that are taking place about a potential solution?

Anita Anand (4:34)

I actually just spoke with President Zelensky here at the United Nations, and he visited Canada for a meeting with Prime Minister Kearney just two weeks ago. And Canada is a stalwart friend to Ukraine. We've put on the table 25.5 billion dollars in multiple forms of aid. That's for a population of about 40 million people. That is a sign of the strength of the relationship and the willingness of Canada to step forward, not only for Ukraine's territorial integrity, but also for the principles that are at stake here. State sovereignty, for example, one of the founding principles of the United Nations is a principle that is at stake for Ukraine in this illegal war.