Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has embarked on a strategic tour of the Indo-Pacific region, visiting India, Australia, and Japan. The mission aims to make Canada's economy less dependent on dominant U.S. influence amid rising protectionism. Concurrently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Israel, while the U.S. administration imposes new tariffs on photovoltaic products from Asia and removes barriers to aviation trade with Brazil.

Canada Diversifies Trade

Prime Minister Mark Carney is in Asia to reduce economic dependence on the U.S. through new agreements with India and Japan.

U.S. Tariffs on Photovoltaics

Washington imposes punitive tariffs on solar panels from India and Southeast Asia, accusing these countries of dumping.

India-Israel Alliance

Narendra Modi's visit to Israel strengthens military and technological partnership between the two powers.

Japan's Military Buildup

Tokyo plans a new missile base on Yonaguni Island in response to the threat from China.

Prime Minister Mark Carney's diplomatic mission to the Indo-Pacific region is a clear signal of Ottawa's shifting priorities. Faced with the unpredictability of Washington's trade policy, Canada is seeking to finalize a free trade agreement (FTA) with India. Carney's visit coincides with intensive activities by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is visiting Israel on February 25-26. Talks in Tel Aviv focus on advanced defense technologies, cybersecurity, and agricultural innovations, further strengthening the strategic alliance between the two nations. Since the 1990s, India and Israel have moved from mutual distrust towards pragmatic cooperation, making Israel one of the three most important suppliers of military technology to the Indian armed forces.While Canada and India strengthen ties, the United States is taking a tougher stance towards other trade partners. The U.S. Department of Commerce announced the imposition of preliminary countervailing duties on photovoltaic cells imported from India, Indonesia, and Laos. According to Washington officials, these products benefited from unfair government subsidies, harming domestic producers. Interestingly, the U.S. simultaneously decided to lift tariffs on aircraft exports from Brazil, which was enthusiastically welcomed by the government in Brasília as an opportunity for the Embraer conglomerate. In the background of these events, China is calling on the U.S. to return to the negotiating table and abandon tariff barriers. „We are building bridges with partners who share our values and our vision for stable economic growth.” — Mark Carney In East Asia, tensions are rising over the militarization of the region. Japan announced plans to deploy a missile unit on Yonaguni Island by 2030, a direct response to China's increasing activity. Meanwhile, Japan's parliament is engaged in a heated debate over a proposal to criminalize the desecration of the national flag. Minister Sanae Takaichi also faces internal problems, having admitted to distributing gift catalogs among LDP party members, which the opposition considers an unacceptable form of influence-building. 0% — U.S. tariff rate on aircraft imports from Brazil

Mentioned People

  • Mark Carney — Canadian Prime Minister leading a trade mission in Asia.
  • Narendra Modi — Indian Prime Minister visiting Israel for strategic purposes.
  • Sanae Takaichi — Japanese minister embroiled in controversy over party gifts.