Minister Sidhu establishes Strategic Exports Office to strengthen Canada’s global competitiveness
Canada’s new Strategic Exports Office will coordinate federal trade efforts and remove barriers to help businesses expand exports beyond the U.S. by 2035.
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Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Maninder Sidhu, announced the creation of the Strategic Exports Office within Global Affairs Canada, supported by Export Development Canada. The office will focus on sectors such as aerospace, defence, infrastructure, and energy to secure international business opportunities and coordinate high-level commercial engagement. By integrating diplomatic, commercial, and financial expertise, the SEO aims to remove trade barriers and open new markets for Canadian exporters.
A Strategic Exports Advisory Council was also launched, bringing together private sector leaders to provide real-time feedback on trade diversification challenges and opportunities. The council will advise the Minister on supporting Canadian businesses pursuing overseas markets and will include representatives from major Canadian companies. The initiative reflects Canada’s commitment to doubling exports to non-U.S. markets by 2035, positioning the country for long-term economic growth.
The announcement builds on recent trade achievements, including over $28 billion in international sales secured by the Government of Canada under Prime Minister Mark Carney. The SEO and Advisory Council are designed to accelerate these efforts by providing coordinated, whole-of-government support to Canadian businesses competing globally. Trade diversification efforts have already shown progress, with goods exports to non-U.S. markets increasing by 17% from 2024 to 2025.
The Strategic Exports Office will combine Global Affairs Canada’s trade diplomacy with Export Development Canada’s market intelligence and financing expertise. The Advisory Council will offer practical insights from the private sector to inform federal trade strategies. Together, these measures aim to generate $300 billion more in overseas trade over a decade, supporting jobs and economic growth across Canada.