Yesterday, the Honourable Mary Ng, Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development, met with Ken Saito, Japan's Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, on the margins of the G7 Ministerial Meeting on Trade, held on July 16 and 17 in Reggio Calabria, Italy.
Minister Ng and Minister Saito discussed the extensive Canada-Japan trade relationship. Thanks to a memorandum of cooperation signed in 2023, Canada and Japan are greater collaborators with enhanced battery supply chains. The ministers also noted the need to work with like-minded G7 partners to grow our zero-emissions vehicle industries and protect supply chains from unfair trade practices.
Minister Ng highlighted Canada's reputation as a reliable partner for Japanese investments in liquefied natural gas and ammonia/hydrogen projects. With recent Japanese investments in Canadian critical minerals initiatives, both countries' economic cooperation potential is unlimited.
Minister Ng reiterated Canada's readiness to play a greater role in supporting Japan's energy security needs. Canada is already an important supplier of liquefied petroleum gas. The Minister also emphasized Canada's readiness to supply energy to the Indo-Pacific. As part of its Indo-Pacific strategy, Canada continues to value and strengthen economic and investment ties with Indo-Pacific partners.
