Ottawa, Aug. 12 -- Canada is pushing to conclude a free trade agreement with ASEAN this year as Ottawa seeks to deepen economic and strategic ties with Southeast Asia and diversify its trade partnerships, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand said.

Anand marked ASEAN Day on August 11 by joining ambassadors, representatives of ASEAN member states and Southeast Asian communities in Canada, highlighting the growing relationship between Ottawa and the 11-member regional bloc.

Canada-ASEAN bilateral merchandise trade reached C$52.4 billion in 2025, making the Southeast Asian bloc Canada's fifth-largest merchandise trading partner as a group, according to Global Affairs Canada.

Prime Minister Mark Carney has also made completion of the Canada...