Prime Minister Mark Carney met with the leader of Antigua and Barbuda to discuss opportunities for expanded trade during a visit to the Caribbean nation.
The Prime Minister’s Office said in a readout that Carney met with Prime Minister Gaston Browne on Nov. 3, on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in St. John’s, Antigua and Barbuda.
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent countries with historical roots in the British Empire, although not all member countries were formerly British colonies.
“The prime ministers discussed opportunities to strengthen the Canada-Antigua and Barbuda partnership and deepen cooperation on shared interests,” the readout said.
The opportunities the leaders discussed included trade and investment, energy, tourism, “climate resilience,” and “the priorities of small island developing states.”
Carney and Browne agreed to deepen bilateral dialogue and remain in close contact, according to the readout.
Canada and Antigua and Barbuda have maintained diplomatic relations since 1981, when the Caribbean nation gained independence. Approximately 4,505 Antiguans and Barbudans live in Canada, according to Global Affairs Canada.
A press release from the government of Canada said the two countries have “modest” commercial relations, with bilateral merchandise trade with Antigua and Barbuda totalling $23.7 million in 2025, and exports at $23.4 million and imports at just under $300,000.
Following his meeting with Browne, Carney hosted a working breakfast with Caribbean leaders, where he spoke about strengthening ties between Canada and the region.
“We all know how much the world has changed. We’re all responding to it. We all know that the best response is to build out the close ties of friendship,” Carney said in opening remarks.
He also pointed to the longstanding connections between Canada and Caribbean countries through migration, tourism, commerce and investment.
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand joined Carney at the breakfast, where the prime minister presented the attending leaders with bottles of maple syrup bearing his own branding.
Carney’s schedule also included the opening ceremony and executive sessions of the Commonwealth meeting, as well as bilateral meetings with several other leaders.
He met with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, with the Prime Minister’s Office saying the two leaders welcomed continued progress in strengthening bilateral relations, including in energy, critical minerals, security and defence, and artificial intelligence.
