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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Turkey on Thursday to initiate a two-day visit aimed at bolstering the trade relationship between the two nations. During this visit, Carney met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan at Ankara's presidential palace. The leaders agreed to elevate the Canada-Turkey relationship to a strategic partnership, encompassing trade, energy, and cultural exchanges.

Carney expressed optimism about the new alliance, stating, "We've planted the seeds of something new: a strategic partnership that will create new opportunities for our workers and businesses, and greater security and prosperity for both of our peoples." Erdogan echoed this sentiment, describing the partnership as the start of a new era between Turkey and Canada, praising Carney as a leader with common-sense and acumen.

Negotiations for a free trade agreement between the two countries are expected to commence before the end of 2026. The Turkish leader also hinted at a potential doubling of trade volume, currently standing at approximately $3 billion (€2.6 billion), to $5 billion and eventually $10 billion. Both nations, members of the NATO alliance, also agreed to strengthen their defense ties during the visit.

Carney's trip to Turkey comes at a time when Canada is looking to expand its trade relationships beyond its southern neighbor. Presently, nearly 70% of Canadian exports go to the United States. With Donald Trump's re-election, Canada has distanced itself from the US, as Trump escalated a trade war against Canada and imposed tariffs on numerous Canadian goods. Turkey, with a population of over 86 million people and 16th-largest nominal GDP, presents an attractive market for Canadian exports.

However, the visit is not without controversy. The Turkish government, led by the conservative Justice and Development Party (AKP) under Erdogan's rule since 2002, has been tightening its grip on opposition voices and critical media. Additionally, the government has made mass arrests targeting the LGBTQ+ community. Human rights organizations like Amnesty International have warned that Canada must not prioritize trade over human rights in this endeavor.