Canada and Turkey sign 'strategic partnership' during Carney visit to boost trade and investment

Summary

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara on Thursday, October 22, on the first bilateral visit to Turkey by a Canadian leader. The two NATO allies upgraded their relations to a 'strategic partnership' meant to deepen energy, defence and trade ties. Canada is seeking to expand its trade partners and reduce its reliance on the United States, which The Globe and Mail described as increasingly protectionist and unpredictable under Trump. Al Jazeera reported that the leaders launched a 'strong and resilient' Canada-Turkiye partnership and will work toward concluding a Canada-Turkiye Free Trade Agreement covering trade, investment and innovation.

Timeline

1. Straits Times

   22 Oct 2026, 02:06 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Carney met Erdogan in Ankara on Thursday, the first bilateral visit by a Canadian leader, where the two NATO allies upgraded relations to a 'strategic partnership' as Ottawa seeks to expand trade partners and reduce reliance on the United States.

2. The Globe and Mail

   22 Oct 2026, 14:15 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Canada and Turkey announced a strategic partnership to deepen energy, defence and trade ties, with Ankara the latest stop in Carney's drive to reduce reliance on the increasingly protectionist and unpredictable U.S. under Trump.

3. Al Jazeera

   22 Oct 2026, 15:00 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Carney and Erdogan launched a 'strong and resilient' Canada-Turkiye partnership, with leaders set to work toward concluding a Canada-Turkiye Free Trade Agreement on trade, investment and innovation.

4. DW

   22 Oct 2026, 17:07 UTCSource ↗

   Reports that Carney's visit is the first bilateral visit to Turkey by a Canadian prime minister, and that the two countries upgraded relations to a 'strategic partnership' as Canada seeks to diversify trade beyond the US.