Ottawa– Canadian entrepreneur and Member of Parliament Maninder Sidhu has been appointed as the country’s new Minister of International Trade, marking a significant promotion from his previous role as parliamentary secretary. The 41-year-old businessman was officially sworn into Prime Minister Mark Carney’s cabinet on Tuesday.
Sidhu, who founded and operates a business specializing in international trade consulting, brings extensive private-sector experience to his new role. According to his LinkedIn profile, he has advised businesses across Canada on trade strategy, tariffs, and global growth opportunities.
First elected to Parliament in 2019, Sidhu briefly served as parliamentary secretary to the Foreign Affairs Minister before transitioning to support the International Trade Ministry. His elevation to a full cabinet post reflects Carney’s emphasis on trade expansion and economic diversification.
In a post on X following his swearing-in, Sidhu thanked the prime minister for entrusting him with a key economic file, stating that he would work to “diversify trade, support Canadian businesses in reaching new global markets, and help create good-paying jobs across Canada.” On Facebook, he echoed those sentiments, writing, “Canada is a trading nation — and we must strengthen and expand the infrastructure that connects us to global markets.”
Sidhu is one of two Canadians of Indian descent now holding high-profile international portfolios in Carney’s new cabinet. He joins Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, who returned to government after briefly stepping away from politics earlier this year. Anand, who previously served as defense and transport minister, was convinced by Carney to take on the foreign affairs post following her re-election.
Anand is expected to play a key role in managing Canada’s diplomatic reset with India and navigating complex relations with U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration. Her return and Sidhu’s appointment are part of a broader reshuffle by Carney, who has tasked his 28-member cabinet with delivering a “mandate for change” focused on innovation, clarity, and decisive action. (Source: IANS)
