The countries that make up the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Canada are exploring the possibility of an ASEAN–Canada free trade agreement (FTA), according to The ASEAN Post on April 6. The idea of an ASEAN–Canada FTA was first proposed in 2016, and last November Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told ASEAN leaders that an agreement was actively being considered. ASEAN is Canada’s sixth-largest trade partner, while Canada is ASEAN’s ninth largest. Jim Carr, minister of international trade diversification, re­cently said that increasing business with the fast-growing and progressive economies found in ASEAN is important for diversifying Canada’s trade and investment opportunities.