James Skinner
James is the Founder & Chief Executive of
CANZUK International in Vancouver, Canada
New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay has said Wellington is working to deepen its trade relationship with Canada, with an announcement on two-way trade expected soon.
Mr McClay made the comments at a press conference in New Zealand with visiting Australian Trade Minister Don Farrell. He said he had been discussing trade with his Canadian counterpart, Dominic LeBlanc, with a particular focus on how the two countries can make more of the opportunities already available under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
“I think Canada is in the space of free and fair trade, at least as it relates to Australia and New Zealand, and I think we can do a whole lot more,” Mr Farrell said. “We’ve had a great friendship with Canada.”
“I think Canada is in the space of free and fair trade, at least as it relates to Australia and New Zealand, and I think we can do a whole lot more,” Mr Farrell said. “We’ve had a great friendship with Canada.”
Mr Farrell pointed to growing commercial openings, including greater access to the Canadian liquor market for Australian and New Zealand wine producers. He also noted Canada’s expanding presence in Southeast Asia, citing Singapore’s use of Canadian oil to replace supplies that had previously come from the Middle East.
The remarks come as both governments look to diversify trade amid rising global protectionism. Mr McClay said the tit-for-tat escalation of the tariff dispute between the United States and Canada had not been helpful for the wider trading system.
“It creates uncertainty. It drives up prices for consumers. It makes it very, very hard for businesses to plan and to invest,” he said. “We, as a government, and I, as trade minister, publicly have stated that we think the parties should work together and find a way through.”
Canada and New Zealand already cooperate closely as CPTPP partners and as members of the Cairns Group of agricultural exporters. According to Global Affairs Canada, bilateral merchandise trade totalled C$1.6 billion in 2024, with New Zealand exports to Canada concentrated in meat, wine, dairy and fruit, and Canadian exports led by machinery, wood products, aircraft parts and fertilisers. Services trade and two-way investment remain smaller than the relationship’s potential would suggest — a point ministers on both sides have now put back on the agenda.
The timing is also notable in the wider CANZUK context. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently addressed the Australian Parliament, and Australia intends to send a trade delegation to the G20 meeting in Wisconsin at the end of October. Taken together, these engagements point to a renewed willingness among Canada, Australia and New Zealand to treat one another as first-choice economic partners rather than residual markets.
CANZUK International welcomes the prospect of a nearer-term New Zealand–Canada trade announcement and the clear statement from both Wellington and Canberra that more can be done. Deeper utilisation of the CPTPP, and any additional bilateral measures that follow, would strengthen an underused commercial relationship between two like-minded democracies.
The remarks come as both governments look to diversify trade amid rising global protectionism. Mr McClay said the tit-for-tat escalation of the tariff dispute between the United States and Canada had not been helpful for the wider trading system.
“It creates uncertainty. It drives up prices for consumers. It makes it very, very hard for businesses to plan and to invest,” he said. “We, as a government, and I, as trade minister, publicly have stated that we think the parties should work together and find a way through.”
Canada and New Zealand already cooperate closely as CPTPP partners and as members of the Cairns Group of agricultural exporters. According to Global Affairs Canada, bilateral merchandise trade totalled C$1.6 billion in 2024, with New Zealand exports to Canada concentrated in meat, wine, dairy and fruit, and Canadian exports led by machinery, wood products, aircraft parts and fertilisers. Services trade and two-way investment remain smaller than the relationship’s potential would suggest — a point ministers on both sides have now put back on the agenda.
The timing is also notable in the wider CANZUK context. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney recently addressed the Australian Parliament, and Australia intends to send a trade delegation to the G20 meeting in Wisconsin at the end of October. Taken together, these engagements point to a renewed willingness among Canada, Australia and New Zealand to treat one another as first-choice economic partners rather than residual markets.
CANZUK International welcomes the prospect of a nearer-term New Zealand–Canada trade announcement and the clear statement from both Wellington and Canberra that more can be done. Deeper utilisation of the CPTPP, and any additional bilateral measures that follow, would strengthen an underused commercial relationship between two like-minded democracies.
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