Dollar Holds Firm as Markets Weigh Warsh-Led Fed and Yen Weakness Ahead of Japan Election 
Israel Intensifies Gaza Airstrikes Amid Ceasefire Tensions 
Asian Currencies Hold Firm as Dollar Rebounds on Fed Chair Nomination Hopes 
Zelenskiy Awaits U.S. Details as Ukraine Prepares for Possible Peace Talks Next Week 
Peter Mandelson Resigns from Labour Party Amid Renewed Jeffrey Epstein Links 
U.S. and Israeli Military Leaders Hold Pentagon Talks as Tensions With Iran Escalate 
Asian Markets Slide as Silver Volatility, Earnings Season, and Central Bank Meetings Rattle Investors 
U.S. Eases Venezuela Oil Sanctions to Boost American Investment After Maduro Ouster 
Keir Starmer Urges Prince Andrew to Testify in U.S. Epstein Investigation 
Oil Prices Slide Nearly 3% as U.S.-Iran Talks Ease Geopolitical Tensions 
Canada’s Trade Deficit Jumps in November as Exports Slide and Firms Diversify Away From U.S. 
Democrats Score Surprise Texas State Senate Win, Fueling Momentum Ahead of 2026 Midterms 
Kevin Warsh’s Fed Nomination Raises Questions Over Corporate Ties and U.S.–South Korea Trade Tensions 
Why Trump’s new pick for Fed chair hit gold and silver markets – for good reasons 
Trump Says Fed Pick Kevin Warsh Could Win Democratic Support in Senate Confirmation 
U.S. Stock Futures Slip as Markets Brace for Big Tech Earnings and Key Data 
Canada has taken a major step in expanding its presence in the Indo-Pacific by signing a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Indonesia, its first trade deal in the region under Prime Minister Mark Carney. According to International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu, the agreement aims to grant duty-free access for up to 95% of Canadian exports to Indonesia within the next eight to twelve months.
The trade deal, which is expected to be ratified by both governments within a year, is seen as a gateway for Canada to Southeast Asia’s fast-growing markets. Sidhu noted significant opportunities across agriculture, energy, telecom, defense, and aerospace. He also revealed that Indonesia is considering Canadian small modular nuclear reactors, a new technology offering compact and efficient energy solutions.
Currently, Canada’s trade with Indonesia stands at just over C$5 billion annually, far below the C$1 trillion it records with its largest partner, the United States. Despite being a smaller market, Indonesia is already Canada’s biggest export destination in Southeast Asia, and bilateral trade could potentially double within six years under the new framework.
Canada is also looking to strengthen ties with other Asian economies, including the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea, and Japan, as part of its broader Indo-Pacific outreach. Sidhu emphasized the importance of building visibility in the region and plans frequent visits to advance negotiations.
On China, Sidhu confirmed plans to travel there in November to help deescalate ongoing trade tensions. Carney has been working to repair relations with Beijing, Canada’s second-largest trading partner, after years of strained ties. Carney recently held “constructive” talks with Chinese Premier Li Qiang, signaling progress toward improved cooperation.
Additionally, Sidhu highlighted Canada’s interest in exploring deeper economic ties with India, though discussions remain in the early stages.
With this landmark deal, Canada is positioning itself to reduce reliance on the U.S. market while tapping into Asia’s dynamic economies, paving the way for greater trade diversification and long-term growth.
