Vietnam’s leader To Lam visits Ottawa as Carney reaches out to middle powers

Vietnamese President To Lam is in Ottawa for a state visit aimed at strengthening trade and diplomatic ties. As the Communist Party general secretary, Lam holds more power than Canada's prime minister. During his visit, Lam will meet with Governor General Louise Arbour, Prime Minister Mark Carney, and parliamentarians.

Vietnam and Canada share a history of co-operation, including an agreement since 2017 covering diplomacy, investment, economic development, defense, and academia. The two nations are aiming to elevate this agreement to a strategic partnership, which could involve joint work in sensitive areas like maritime security and supply chains, as well as increased Canadian energy exports.

Carney is hopeful to sign a free-trade agreement with Vietnam during a planned November visit to the Philippines. Canada is Vietnam's largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, with two-way merchandise trade exceeding $20 billion last year. Canadian exports include food, metals, and fertilizers, while Vietnam exports electronics, clothing, furniture, and shoes.

Vietnam is facing American tariffs and working on a bilateral agreement with Washington. At the same time, it seeks to diversify its trade beyond the U.S. The country is also at the forefront of American efforts to combat forced labor in supply chains, particularly those linked to Uyghur slave labor in China's Xinjiang region. Vietnam has taken Washington's concerns about this issue seriously.

Vietnam currently holds the rotating chairmanship of the Pacific Rim trade bloc known as CPTPP, which includes Canada, Chile, Japan, and Australia. The bloc is gaining importance as countries navigate economic coercion, such as China limiting supply chains for critical minerals and Trump implementing tariffs on questionable grounds. Carney's initiative to strengthen cooperation between middle powers through the CPTPP has added significance to the relationship between Vietnam and Canada.