Ottawa/New Delhi: The historic India-European Union free trade agreement has won praise from Canada’s Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, Tim Hogson, who described it as a prime example of rejecting the use of tariffs as an economic weapon. Speaking at India Energy Week in Goa on Tuesday, Hogson said the deal demonstrates how economies can strengthen multilateral trade relations and diversify supply chains to counter protectionism.
Without mentioning the United States or President Donald Trump directly, Hogson noted, “The economic changes unfolding today are not gradual—they are profound. Major powers have decided that the rules-based order will no longer operate in the same way. In this context, India’s signing of the trade deal sends a strong message in favor of free trade and trusted partnerships.”
Hogson highlighted Canada’s interest in deepening energy and critical minerals trade with India, aiming to expand its customer base and reduce dependency on the US. On February 27, he met India’s Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, where both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in hydrocarbons and clean energy.
He added, “Canada historically supplied nearly all its energy to a single customer. We are committed to diversifying our supply, and India represents a significant opportunity. Canada can also support India’s energy transition by supplying essential minerals.”
The India-EU agreement, often called the “Mother of All Deals”, comes at a time when many nations face tariff pressures and demonstrates India’s strategic approach to expanding global trade partnerships.
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