Mark Carney lands in Turkey to forge a new partnership as Canada looks beyond the US
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Turkey on Thursday for a two-day visit, seeking to forge a new strategic partnership as Canada looks to reduce its dependence on the United States.
Carney is making the first bilateral visit by a Canadian prime minister to Turkey, although he traveled to Ankara in July to attend the NATO summit.
He is scheduled to meet with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and other officials before traveling to Istanbul for talks with Turkish business groups.
The Canadian prime minister has sought to diversify partnerships and reduce reliance on the United States amid an escalating trade war with U.S. President Donald Trump, marked by U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods and retaliatory measures.
Strategic partnership focus
Canada’s Ambassador to Turkey, Marcel Lebleu, said the visit’s main purpose was to “launch a strategic partnership through a joint declaration by the two leaders.”
“launch a strategic partnership through a joint declaration by the two leaders.”
Talks would focus on cooperation in energy, nuclear plants, sustainable mining and the defense industry, with negotiations also expected on a free-trade agreement.
Turkey is looking to build a second nuclear power plant on the Black Sea coast, in addition to one currently being built by Russia’s Rusatom on the Mediterranean coast.
Human rights concerns raised
Amnesty International called on Carney to raise human rights concerns during his trip, citing a crackdown on the opposition, the arrest of journalists and activists, and the installation of a government-appointed administrator to run a popular television station aligned with the opposition.
“As the judiciary is increasingly used to silence dissent and suppress critical voices, a clear message emerges: speaking out can come at a heavy price.”
“Canada must not treat human rights as secondary in the negotiations. Sustainable partnerships depend on accountability and respect for the rule of law,”
A statement from Carney’s office said two-way trade between Turkey and Canada increased by 50% in the past five years.
During the visit, Carney will emphasize opportunities “to expand that growing trade relationship in priority sectors, including energy, aerospace, advanced technologies, and mining and critical minerals.”
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