Canada, Turkey forge trade and defense deals as Carney looks beyond US

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed three cooperation agreements on Thursday, establishing a "strategic partnership" between their nations. The focus of the agreements was on the defense industry, transportation, and energy sectors. Erdogan announced plans to increase bilateral trade from $3 billion to $5 billion initially, with a target of $10 billion in the future.

The leaders also initiated negotiations for a free trade agreement, emphasizing that this partnership would be more than just symbolic. Prime Minister Carney sought to diversify Canada's partnerships amid a trade war with the United States. The dispute escalated after President Donald Trump imposed tariffs on Canadian goods, leading to retaliatory measures and tensions over sovereignty.

Erdogan expressed his hope that the increased trade would boost Canadian and Turkish companies, creating jobs, export opportunities, and enhancing security for citizens. Canada has shown interest in participating in Turkey's planned second nuclear power plant project on the Black Sea coast, following one already being constructed by Russia's Rosatom on the Mediterranean coast.

Amnesty International warned Carney to raise human rights concerns during his trip, as Turkey has been cracking down on opposition figures, including journalists, activists, and LGBTQ rights defenders. The country's opposition-aligned television station was recently taken over by a government-appointed administrator. Human rights groups argue that Turkey's judiciary is increasingly used to suppress dissent, and Canada should not treat human rights issues as secondary in their negotiations.

At the signing ceremony, Turkish cavalry units escorted Carney's vehicle in a grand welcome. The pair then engaged in bilateral talks at the Turkish presidential compound, marking the beginning of a new era in their relations.