Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney embarked on his first official visit to Asia on Friday in an effort to deepen trade and security cooperation with Ottawa’s Asia-Pacific partners. But a U.S.-sized shadow looms large over Carney’s trip, and economists are curious to see whether the Canadian premier will make good on his promise to diversify Canadian exports away from the United States.

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at a shift in Canada ’s trade strategy, another party splinter in French budget negotiations, and European leaders debating how to use frozen Russian assets.

Welcome back to World Brief, where we’re looking at a shift in Canada’s trade strategy, another party splinter in French budget negotiations, and European leaders debating how to use frozen Russian assets.

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Making New Friends

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney embarked on his first official visit to Asia on Friday in an effort to deepen trade and security cooperation with Ottawa’s Asia-Pacific partners. But a U.S.-sized shadow looms large over Carney’s trip, and economists are curious to see whether the Canadian premier will make good on his promise to diversify Canadian exports away from the United States.

For months, Ottawa and Washington have been locked in a high-stakes trade war, with the White House imposing hefty tariffs on Canadian goods