Ottawa should focus on giving Canadian exporters a stronger foothold in new markets when negotiating trade agreements, Canada’s deputy chief trade commissioner said Tuesday. (The Logic)

Talking point: Aaron Fowler, a senior official at Global Affairs Canada working on Ottawa’s response to the ongoing threat of U.S. tariffs, said Canada used to bring an “incrementalist mindset” to trade talks. “We always wanted to get a little bit better, go a little bit further,” Fowler said during a virtual event hosted by the Council of Canadian Innovators. “Right now, I think it’s about getting in, getting the access you can get, getting the best deal possible—one that’s going to make a real difference for Canadian businesses that are trying to operate there.” He said Canada took that approach when negotiating a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Indonesia, which aims to strengthen access to supply chains in Southeast Asia.