Canada explores free trade with southeast Asian bloc

Canada wants free trade with the ASEAN bloc, Trade Minister Jim Carr said Monday on the eve of a trip to Thailand and Singapore for "exploratory" talks.Carr on the August 28-30 trip will look to promote bilateral trade and investment with Thailand and Singapore -- which, along with Canada, is expected to soon ratify the Trans Pacific Partnership -- and press for free trade with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).