The Economic Resilience and CPTPP-EU Linkages Vietnam-Canada Forum 2026 was jointly organised by the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (APF Canada), the Embassy of Canada in Vietnam on July 20 in Ho Chi Minh City, on the sidelines of the Third CPTPP Senior Officials’ Meeting of 2026.
The event brought together senior
representatives from Vietnam, Canada, Japan, Singapore and the European Union
to discuss practical pathways for strengthening cooperation between two of the
world’s most significant trade frameworks while enhancing economic resilience
and expanding opportunities for businesses.
H.E.Mr. Jim Nickel, Canada’s Ambassador to Vietnam speaks at the event. -(Photo: Embassy of Canada in Vietnam)
Against the backdrop of increasing
geopolitical fragmentation and rapidly evolving global trade dynamics,
participants explored how closer cooperation between CPTPP and the EU could
reinforce an open, inclusive and rules-based international trading system. The discussions also focused on practical measures to deepen
regulatory cooperation, improve interoperability in digital trade, strengthen
resilient supply chains and facilitate cross-border investment.
Opening the programme, organisers
underscored the importance of building stronger partnerships among governments,
businesses and research institutions as economies seek to diversify trade
relationships and respond to mounting global economic challenges. Rather than
focusing solely on policy coordination, the forum aimed to identify concrete
areas where closer collaboration could translate into tangible commercial
outcomes for businesses operating across the Indo-Pacific and European markets.
One of the central themes throughout
the forum was the growing importance of cooperation among middle-power
economies in maintaining stability within the international trading system.
Speakers noted that as supply chains become increasingly vulnerable to
geopolitical tensions and external shocks, countries sharing a commitment to
open and rules-based trade have an opportunity to strengthen resilience through
closer regulatory cooperation and deeper economic integration.
H.E. Mr. Jim Nickel,
Canada’s Ambassador to Vietnam, said Canada and Vietnam share a strong
interest in building more resilient, diversified and sustainable trade
relationships during a period of heightened uncertainty in the global economy.
He said the forum had brought together
leaders from government, business and academia to exchange practical ideas
capable of strengthening economic cooperation while creating new opportunities
across CPTPP and European Union economies. According to the Ambassador, the
expanding trade partnership between Canada and Viet Nam demonstrates the
continuing value of open, rules-based trade and strong international
collaboration in fostering a more resilient and prosperous future.
Participants also highlighted Vietnam’s unique strategic position within the evolving global trade landscape. As
one of the few economies that is both a member of the CPTPP and a party to the
EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), Vietnam occupies a distinctive
position linking two of the world’s most ambitious trade architectures.
Delegates agreed that this position provides significant opportunities for the
country to facilitate closer economic cooperation between Asia-Pacific and
European markets while encouraging greater investment and trade connectivity.
Building on that discussion,
participants examined opportunities identified through the inaugural CPTPP-EU
Trade and Investment Dialogue. Particular attention was given to expanding
cooperation in digital trade, sustainable trade, investment promotion and the
development of more resilient supply chains. Delegates agreed that
strengthening interoperability between CPTPP and EU frameworks could reduce
unnecessary barriers for businesses while preserving high standards in digital
governance, sustainability and investment policy.
Speaking during the forum, Mr. Barrett
Bingley of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada said the future of global
trade and investment would not be determined solely by the world’s largest
economies, but increasingly by countries prepared to work together to
strengthen trust, reinforce resilient supply chains and uphold a rules-based
international trading system.
He said the dialogue demonstrated
the growing leadership of Canada and Vietnam in advancing that vision by
bringing together governments, businesses and academic institutions to develop
practical pathways for closer cooperation between CPTPP economies and the
European Union.
Throughout the discussions, speakers
repeatedly emphasised the need to translate trade agreements into measurable
commercial outcomes. Beyond policy dialogue, participants stressed that
businesses require greater regulatory transparency, improved market
connectivity and stronger institutional cooperation to fully realise the
benefits offered by modern free trade agreements. Strengthening collaboration
among governments, chambers of commerce, research institutions and the private
sector was therefore viewed as essential to supporting future economic growth.
Closing the forum, Mr. Ngo Chung Khanh, Deputy Director of the Multilateral Trade Policy Department under the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that as Chair of the CPTPP in 2026, Vietnam intends to engage the
business community more closely in shaping the next phase of cooperation between
CPTPP members and European economies.
He said Vietnam would seek to
establish stronger and more regular connections among businesses, chambers of
commerce, research institutions and government agencies, ensuring that
cooperation extends beyond policy dialogue to generate practical commercial
partnerships. While policy discussions remain important, he noted that
successful trade relationships are ultimately built between people and
companies.
The event received support from foreign chambers of commerce in Vietnam, including the Canadian
Chamber of Commerce, the British
Chamber of Commerce, the Australian Chamber of Commerce,
and the Singapore Chamber of Commerce.