Canada and Turkey forge strategic partnership to deepen energy, defence and trade ties

Canada and Turkey forge strategic partnership to deepen energy, defence and trade ties

Carney's Ankara visit seals a first

On October 22, 2026, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara and the two countries signed a strategic partnership declaration. It was the first dedicated bilateral visit to Turkey by a Canadian prime minister. The trip forms part of Carney's push to diversify Canada's trade away from the United States amid the ongoing trade war with Washington, with Turkey — a NATO ally with a growing defence industry — cast as a key partner.

Four pillars and an annual dialogue

The declaration covers trade and economy, energy, defence, and diplomatic and social ties. The countries agreed to establish an annual Canada-Turkey Strategic Dialogue, continue annual meetings of their joint economic and trade committee, and hold political-military and counterterrorism consultations. They also pledged to strengthen consular and migration cooperation, explore measures to facilitate travel and mobility, and promote cultural and diaspora engagement. The leaders further underlined intent to cooperate on peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic region and beyond, including Ukraine, the South Caucasus and the Middle East, notably Gaza.

Energy: LNG, nuclear and critical minerals

Energy ministers from both countries will work on areas such as liquefied natural gas (LNG), nuclear energy and critical minerals. Turkey, buffeted by energy price shocks from the US-Iran war, has had to revise its inflation targets and is keen to secure energy and fuel imports, including from Canada. Canada mainly exports lentils, aircraft and electronics to Turkey, and imports medical devices, fishing vessels, aircraft engines and jewellery.

Defence: industry ties after the arms ban lift

Canada cancelled export permits for drone technology to Turkey in 2021 and lifted its weapons-export controls on Turkey in 2024, including optical technology used in drones Turkey exports to dozens of nations. The new defence agreement will let Canadian and Turkish companies work together, with discussions focused on drones and naval cooperation. At the July NATO summit, Turkey agreed to join Canada's Defence, Security and Resilience Bank as a founding member.

Trade: small base, fast growth

Bilateral merchandise trade stands at C$4.34 billion ($3.09 billion), less than 0.3% of Canada's total merchandise trade, but has grown by nearly 50% over the past five years. Export Development Canada and its Turkish counterpart Turk Eximbank are on track to sign an agreement to help companies in both countries undertake joint ventures in third countries, with a focus on energy, mining and critical minerals, infrastructure and transportation. An air transport agreement being finalized will raise weekly passenger flights between Canada and Turkey from 12 to 21, with no limit on cargo flights.

FTA talks launched, trade missions to follow

The two countries launched free-trade agreement negotiations at the July NATO summit. Carney is set to meet business leaders in Istanbul on Friday and said Canada will lead a trade mission to Turkey next year. The annual strategic dialogue and joint economic committee are meant to turn the declaration into concrete projects.