BANGKOK, Thailand -- Finance Minister Jim Flaherty is playing down the effects of higher tariffs.
Flaherty says the government's plan to raise tariffs on goods from emerging countries in 2015 hasn't been an issue on his trade mission to Asia.
He said from Bangkok that he has met with business leaders and Thai officials, none of whom raised it.
Flaherty is visiting Thailand and Hong Kong to bolster trade and investment in fast-growing economies.
He says the discussions in Bangkok have centred on moving toward some sort of free trade between Canada and Thailand.
Since 2006, Flaherty has made several trips to Asia to promote trade.
