Canadian businesses run into all kinds of hurdles in Asia. The rules can be strict, and just keeping up with compliance eats up time and money. Shipping goods halfway across the world isn’t exactly easy, either. Then there’s the way business works over there—relationships matter, sometimes more than contracts. Mix in political tensions and not much help from diplomats, plus tough local competition and unpredictable trade policies, and it’s a lot to handle.

But here’s the thing: the upside is huge. Asia’s population keeps growing, more people are joining the middle class, and demand for all sorts of goods and services is climbing. If Canadian companies are willing to stick it out, get to know the local scene, and actually use trade deals and support programs, there’s real potential. It just takes patience, smart planning, and a long-term view.