"We need to have the capacity to demonstrate that democracies can work for business, because when they work for business, they work for people."
However, Hyder said trade deals with Australia and the United Arab Emirates show the country is branching out. India is on track to be a powerhouse for complex semiconductors, vaccines and life-sciences research. The plan calls for expanding Canada's diplomatic footprint in select nations instead of inconsistent spurts of engagement with countries in the region.
"Do not walk away from this without some kind of an agreement, because I'm not sure anybody would go back to the table any time soon," he said. This week, the countries could release a time frame for the talks, or even announce which sectors will not be part of the negotiations, Hyder said.