Prime Minister Yingluck sets Thailand, Canada on path to free trade agreement

Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra and Canada's Prime Minister Stephen Harper shake hands during a meeting at the Government House in Bangkok on March 23, 2012. Harper is on a three-day visit to Thailand. / Photo by AFP

Bangkok, Thailand — Prime Minister Stephen Harper defended his government's record on free trade deals Friday after announcing the first step towards such an agreement with Thailand.

Shortly after a celebratory toast marking the launch of a study to examine whether a trade agreement between the two countries makes economic sense, Harper said he was "very confident" about concluding a free trade deal with Thailand.

 "We have rapidly expanding trade and investment with Thailand," he said as Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra stood at a podium beside him following a closed-door meeting between the two leaders that featured high-ranking ministers and officials on both sides.

 "We have made it our business to get back into the game of trade negotiations," Harper added.

Photo by InsiderNews Editorial