Manila summit highlights shift toward wider global markets

The Philippines is seeking to expand its trade partnerships as countries look for alternative markets and reduce dependence on the United States amid President Donald Trump's tariff policies, with trade diversification emerging as a key issue at the summit in Manila.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney cited Canada's new free trade agreement with the Philippines and ongoing trade negotiations with regional partners as part of his government's effort to build a broader network of commercial partners.

The agreements were “part of a strategy of developing a dense web of reliable partners to create more opportunities ... and reducing our relative reliance on the United States,” Carney said at the summit.

The Philippines' trade agreement with Canada and the regional negotiations come as governments seek to broaden market access and strengthen economic ties amid uncertainty over US trade policy.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva also pointed to the need to diversify trading partners, saying his country responded to US tariffs by pursuing other markets rather than asking Washington to ease the measures.

“Instead of weeping or begging the US government ... to have pity on us, we decided to look for other partners for us to sell and for us to buy from,” Lula told reporters on the sidelines of the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit on Sunday.

He said Brazil's trade with Indonesia and Vietnam had increased by 15 percent and 13 percent, respectively.

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to arrive in Manila on Tuesday, near the conclusion of the summit. His visit is expected to include a meeting with the leaders of India, Japan and Australia, the other members of the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue.