Carney and Erdogan launch ‘strong and resilient’ Canada-Turkiye partnership

The partnership’s three-year action plan rests on four pillars: trade and investment; defence and security; energy; and ties between people.

On trade, investment and innovation, the two leaders agreed to work toward the successful conclusion of a Canada-Turkiye Free Trade Agreement.

They will also expand bilateral trade and investments in priority sectors including energy supply, defence production, aerospace, and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Canadian and Turkish leaders will convene next month in Ankara for the first round of trade talks.

Strategic shift

Speaking to reporters in Ankara alongside Carney on Thursday, Erdogan said the two countries hope to increase their trade volume, which currently stands at around $3 billion, to $5 billion initially and then to $10 billion through the steps they will take.

He said the two sides had agreed to begin free trade agreement negotiations before the end of the year to boost trade and investment.

Elevating Turkiye-Canada relations to the level of a strategic partnership would not be merely a symbolic step on paper.

Diversifying ties

The announcement comes as Carney is on a two-day visit to Turkiye, seeking to forge a new partnership as Canada looks to reduce its dependence on the United States.

He was scheduled to meet with Erdogan and other officials before travelling to Istanbul for talks with Turkish business groups as the two countries seek to deepen trade ties.

The Canadian prime minister has sought to diversify partnerships and reduce reliance on the US amid an escalating trade war with President Donald Trump, marked by US tariffs on Canadian goods, retaliatory measures by Canada and statements questioning Canadian sovereignty.