Listening

Warm Up

Helpful Words and Phrases

Listen and repeat.

  1. diversify
    • ex. The company wants to diversify its products so it can reach more customers.
  2. defense
    • ex. The government discussed a new defense plan with military leaders.
  3. food security
    • ex. Farmers play an important role in the country’s food security.
  4. impose
    • ex. The government may impose new rules to protect the environment.
  5. a tension
    • ex. There are tensions between the countries because they do not agree on a new business deal.

Article

Read the article below and answer your tutor's questions.

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney traveled to India, Australia, and Japan to diversify Canada’s business away from the United States. In Mumbai, he met Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and business leaders. In Canberra, Carney spoke to Australia’s Parliament and met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to talk about defense partnership and AI advancement.

Carney then visited Tokyo to meet Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae. They discussed clean energy, important minerals, and food security. Carney said Canada is working to attract new business and reduce risks in a more uncertain world. He wants to double Canada’s business with countries other than the U.S. in the next ten years.

Tensions with the United States have grown after President Donald Trump said he might impose a 100% tariff on Canadian products because of Canada’s proposed business deal with China. In January, at the World Economic Forum, Carney criticized the economic pressure that powerful countries put on smaller countries. He said Canada must protect its economy. The prime minister received praise for this comment during the event, which Trump also attended.

This material was based on an article by The Associated Press.

Discussion

Choose a topic and discuss the questions with your tutor.

Partnerships among Countries

  • Canada wants to work and do business with India, Australia, and Japan. Why do you think it is important for a country to work with other countries? Discuss.
  • Carney talked about defense, AI advancement, clean energy, important minerals, and food security with the leaders of India, Australia, and Japan. What do you think about the areas that Carney wanted to have partnerships in? Discuss.
  • If you were the leader of a country, how would you choose which countries to trade with? Discuss.

Diversifying Business

  • Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney traveled to India, Australia, and Japan to diversify Canada’s business away from the United States. Why do you think it is important for a country to have business with many countries, not just one? Discuss.
  • Trump said he might impose a tariff on Canada because of Canada’s deal with China. What do you think about this idea? Discuss.
  • In January, Carney criticized the economic pressure that powerful countries put on smaller countries. Do you agree with his actions? Why or why not? Discuss.