Second only to our neighbours to the south, Asia is no doubt a major trade partner of Canada's. Based in Beijing, Brazilian mining company Vale SA's Chief Representative in Corporate Affairs A.J. Nichols, will share key statistics and observations affecting trade between Asia, Canada and Brazil. He will discuss the importance of East-West trade and the value proposition of deepening Canada's understanding of Southeast and East Asia.

The talk will be conducted following Chatham House Rules. Participants may use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, may be revealed.

A.J. Nichols is the Chief Representative of Vale's Beijing office and General Manager for Corporate Affairs. He leads Vale's China Corporate Affairs team in the strategic planning, deployment and management of national as well as regional and international affairs issues, policy and regulatory matters, as well as stakeholder relations with governments, non-government entities and the international community throughout the region.
Prior to moving to Beijing in July 2014, A.J. served as the inaugural Head of Corporate Affairs in the Asia-Pacific region for Vale S.A based in Singapore as well as Director of International Relations and Corporate Affairs for Vale's Base Metals business in Toronto from 2007-2012.

Prior to joining Vale in November of 2007, A.J. had a distinguished career in international public affairs, government relations and advocacy. He served as a Political/Economic Affairs Officer and Trade Commissioner at the Canadian Consulate General in New York City where he developed pioneering and innovating new projects aimed at enhancing the profile of Canada and the Canadian-American relationship with various government, private and non-profit sector stakeholders. After his positions in New York he served as the Chief of Staff to the Canadian Ambassador to the United States in Washington D.C.

A.J. hails from Trail, British Columbia and has two degrees from Dalhousie University (Halifax) including a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) and a Masters in Business Administration.