Canada and Turkey launch three-year strategic partnership to diversify trade and defence

On Oct. 22, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan welcomed Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ankara, marking the first Canadian prime-ministerial visit to Türkiye and the signing of a three-year action plan. The agreement sets out negotiations on a free-trade agreement, joint defence-industry projects, and cooperation in energy, critical minerals and advanced technologies, with an annual strategic dialogue to track progress.

Canada’s outreach fits a wider strategy to reduce reliance on the United States by expanding exports to non-U.S. markets and attracting CA$1 trillion of investment, while also boosting its NATO contributions and joining the SAFE defence-financing initiative. Both sides see mutual benefit: Türkiye offers a NATO-strong partner with access to Eurasian markets, and Canada provides expertise in aerospace, nuclear power and mining.

The deal builds on recent easing of Canadian arms-export restrictions to Türkiye and follows broader EU-Canada talks on associate membership. Its impact will depend on the implementation of the trade pact, defence projects and energy investments over the next three years.