Canada signs trade deal, defence pact with Indonesia
Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomes Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to West Block on Sept. 24, 2025, for a working visit to sign a comprehensive economic partnership agreement and defence co-operation agreement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Prime Minister Mark Carney welcomes Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto to West Block on Sept. 24, 2025, for a working visit to sign a comprehensive economic partnership agreement and defence co-operation agreement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew MeadeThe Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) represents a first-ever bilateral trade agreement with a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The two also signed a Defence Cooperation Agreement, building on the Military Cooperation Memorandum of Understanding signed last month, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew MeadeCarney called it a ‘game-changing’ agreement, while a PMO release said it would open new opportunities for those working in the clean technology, agri-food, infrastructure, critical minerals, and financial services sectors. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew MeadeThe joint statement from Subianto, pictured, and Carney said the CEPA would be a ‘platform to strengthen trade and investment ties, expand business opportunities, and foster co-operation in key areas. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew MeadeIndonesian Minister of Trade Budi Santoso and Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu take part in a signing ceremony. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew MeadeIndonesian Minister of Investment Rosan Perkasa Roeslani and National Defence Minister David McGuinty take part in a signing ceremony. In a statement, McGuinty pointed to Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, saying the ‘region will play a critical role in shaping Canada’s future over the next half-century.’ The Hill Times photograph by Andrew MeadeBusiness Council of Canada President Goldy Hyder took part in he signing ceremony. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew MeadeCarney and Subianto tasked their respective foreign ministers with finalizing ‘as soon as possible, a 2026-2029 Canada-Indonesia Plan of Action to ‘provide a roadmap for a strategic, forward-looking, and outcome-oriented co-operation across the three main pillars: economic partnership, defense and political co-operation, and people-to-people ties’ according to the joint statement. The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
The Hill Times
Andrew Meade is The Hill Times’ staff photographer. A native of Fredericton, N.B., Meade has worked at multiple dailies in New Brunswick and has been published by news outlets across the country and internationally. He has been capturing the day to day on Parliament Hill for the paper since 2017. See all storiesBY ANDREW MEADE
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