YAOUNDÉ — Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu expressed confidence Friday in sealing a free-trade agreement with South America’s Mercosur bloc by autumn, accelerating talks to every six weeks.
Speaking on the sidelines of a World Trade Organization ministerial conference in Cameroon, Sidhu said bilateral meetings with Argentina and Paraguay were productive, with Friday discussions planned with Brazil and Uruguay. “We’re very ambitious. I think we can get it done,” he told media, aligning with a goal set among partners.
The push follows Reuters reports of an Argentine official eyeing a September or October signing, about a year after formal restarts and a Brazilian diplomat praising record-speed progress toward a 2026 deal.
Canada’s drive reflects efforts to diversify trade partners amid uncertainties from US President Donald Trump’s tariffs, with Brazil highlighted as indispensable.