Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu speaks to journalists as he arrives for a meeting of the federal cabinet in West Block on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 14, 2025. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang
Upon assuming the role in March, International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu was briefed by Global Affairs on Canada’s efforts to diversify away from China, citing Beijing’s “economic coercion” and “pervasive” non-market practices, according to recently released documents.
Sidhu was informed in a briefing book detailing his mandate and responsibilities that Canada’s trade commissioner services “have focused on diversifying away from China, into the broader Indo-Pacific,” noting that trade with Beijing in certain sectors is risky and requires “caution,” as first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter.
