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Diversifying trade for Canada

Canada is actively expanding its economic presence around the world. Learn more about what that means, and how it benefits Canadians.

Most requested

15

free trade agreements in force

51

countries

≈66%

global GDP

Services and information

Canada’s free trade agreements (FTA)

Discover each of Canada’s FTAs through map and numbers

Canada’s trade and investments

Data on Canada’s global trade and investments and growth statistics with regions around the world

Delivering results for Canadians

How Canada’s trade and market diversification efforts have benefited Canadians

Diversify your exports

How Canadian companies can leverage Canada’s FTAs to access new markets and create opportunities for growth

Canada’s free trade agreements

Choose a free trade agreement:

  • Map of all of Canada's free trade agreements
  • Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
  • Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
  • Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA)
  • Canada-Chile Free Trade Agreement
  • Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement
  • Canada-Costa Rica Free Trade Agreement
  • Canada-European Free Trade Association
  • Canada-Honduras Free Trade Agreement
  • Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreement (CIFTA)
  • Canada-Jordan Free Trade Agreement
  • Canada-Panama Free Trade Agreement
  • Canada-Peru Free Trade Agreement
  • Canada-Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA)
  • Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement (CUFTA)
  • Canada-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement
  • Concluded negotiations with the Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement
  • Concluded negotiations with the Canada-Indonesia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
  • Ongoing negotiations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
  • Exploratory discussions with the Philippines

Canada’s trade and investments

Merchandise two-way trade
(% growth: 2017-2024)

Text alternative for this chart is in the data table below.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table: 12-10-0171-01.

Text alternative - Merchandise two-way trade
Country/Region Growth (%)
Europe 42.63%
Asia-Oceania 37.16%
Africa and Middle East 43.49%
Latin America and Caribbean 41.27%
United States 38.21%

Service two-way trade
(% growth: 2017-2023)

Text alternative for this canvas graphic is provided in the data table that follows.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table: 36-10-0007-01.

Text alternative - Service two-way trade
Country/Region Growth (%)
Europe 50%
Asia-Oceania 72%
Africa and Middle East 73%
Latin America and Carribean 25%
United States 55%

Two-way direct investment stock
(% growth: 2017-2023)

Text alternative for this canvas graphic is provided in the data table that follows.

Source: Statistics Canada, Table: 36-10-0008-01 and 36-10-0433-01.

Text alternative - Two-way direct investment stock
Country/Region Growth (%)
Europe 49%
Asia-Oceania 67%
Africa and Middle East 46%
Latin America and Caribbean 69%
United States 76%

Note: Many Middle Eastern countries are included in the Asia-Oceania category, but some may be included in Africa.

Growth of Canada’s two-way goods trade before and after FTA entry into force

Text alternative for this canvas graphic is provided in the data table that follows.

Source: Global Trade Atlas. Calculation of the OCE.

Text alternative - Growth of Canada’s two-way goods trade before and after FTA entry into force
TimeGDP-weighted average across all FTA partnersGDP-weighted average across non-FTA partners
10 years before FTA entry into force48%46%
-948%68%
-855%71%
-754%60%
-664%54%
-583%61%
-492%62%
-392%72%
-292%82%
-199%103%
Year of FTA entry into force100%100%
1110%99%
2110%98%
3121%95%
4148%89%
5182%99%
6202%125%
7219%116%
8247%128%
9278%118%
10 years after FTA entry into force311%119%

Canada’s overseas exports on track to reach diversification target

Text alternative for this canvas graphic is provided in the data table that follows.

Source: Global Affairs Canada, Growing Canada’s exports to overseas markets by 50% - 2023 update.

Text alternative - Canada’s overseas exports on track to reach diversification target
Canada's overseas goods and services exports, $ million201720182019202020212022202320242025
5.2% required growth path194,507206,664218,820230,977243,134255,290267,447279,604291,761
Overseas Exports194,507214,279220,966206,960225,004264,093267,701

Delivering results for Canadians

1,474

commercial agreements facilitated

$5.7B+

estimated value


Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

134

new/expanded FDI

$27B+

worth

9,600

jobs created in Canada


Research and innovation partnerships

184

partnerships facilitated

57,401

services delivered

10,893

organizations benefited


  • Between 2018-2019 and 2023-2024, services delivered in the Indo-Pacific region grew by 12% and in the Middle East and North Africa region by 21%.
  • In 2023-2024, the Trade Commissioner Service delivered 118 FTA promotion initiatives across the regional office and international network, focused on CETA, CPTPP, CUSMA and other FTAs helping businesses understand how to leverage the benefits of FTAs.
  • The Trade Commissioner Service is positioned to provide strong support for export diversification with 85% of Trade Commissioners located in countries other than the U.S.

Diversify your exports

Leverage Canada’s FTAs to unlock global opportunities

What is export diversification, and why does it matter for your business? Export diversification is essential for international growth, helping you build long-term stability and global success.

The exporter’s toolkit

Unlocking trade diversification: Solutions for global growth

  • Free trade agreements: Canada’s 15 FTAs with 51 countries provide preferential trade access to 1.5 billion consumers, unlocking global growth opportunities.
  • Team Canada trade missions:
    • Since 2023, 1,100+ delegates from 750 organizations travelled to 7 Indo-Pacific markets (Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, South Korea, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia).
    • More than one-third were underrepresented exporters, with 20% visible minorities and 10% women-owned.
    • Over 3,500 business-to-business meetings led to sales contracts, distribution agreements, strategic partnerships, and signed non-disclosure agreements/memorandums of understanding.
  • CanExport SMEs program: In 2023-2024, $38.3M approved for 1,773 small and medium enterprises to enter new export markets.
  • The Canadian Technology Accelerators: Initiative helps high-potential Canadian technology firms scale up by connecting them with export, investment, and partnership opportunities in 12 global innovation centres. In 2023-2024, 167 companies participated, from the life sciences, cleantech, and digital sectors. As a result, they have reported to date over $106 million in new capital raised, $40 million in new revenue generated, and the creation of over 250 jobs.
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