Canada engages in APEC meeting and addresses U.S. digital trade tensions

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance and National Revenue, Ryan Turnbull, is participating in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Finance Ministers’ Meeting in Hong Kong on October 20-21, 2026. The discussions focus on the global economic outlook, fiscal policy to support household affordability, digital infrastructure financing, and employment opportunities. During the visit, Turnbull aims to advance Canada’s trade diversification and attract investment through meetings with government and business leaders.

Separately, former chief trade negotiator Steve Verheul has identified digital sovereignty and online regulations as primary sticking points in trade relations with the United States. Verheul noted that the U.S. views policies such as the Online News Act and the Online Streaming Act as discriminatory toward American big tech companies. He suggested that Canada should collaborate with allies like the European Union to develop a unified position on digital issues to mitigate the risk of U.S. retaliation.