The Hinrich Foundation and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada hosted former Canada Trade Minister Mary Ng on 30 July for a roundtable discussion on the challenges facing the current multilateral trading environment and how to restore stability to global trade. The session was moderated by Chuin Wei Yap, the Foundation’s research director, and Barrett Bingley, the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada's Asia regional director.

Guests included the High Commissions and embassies of Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and Britain, as well as the European Union Delegation to Singapore, the Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry, and the APEC Secretariat. In attendance also were senior executives from Canadian companies PS-engage, Blackberry, and Purolator.

The roundtable examined the intensifying US-China strategic competition, the shortcomings of the World Trade Organization, and the challenges countries face in the current global trading environment. Participants also addressed the impact of the Trump tariffs and the fragmentation of global trade. The discussion underscored the need for middle powers to assume leadership roles in reforming and supporting the multilateral trading system. Coalitions such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and engagement from blocs like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the EU were highlighted as critical to upholding the rules-based international order.

Here are some pictures from the session: