Canada, UAE reach free trade deal amid plans for extradition treaty

Canada and the United Arab Emirates have signed a comprehensive free trade deal and initiated discussions for an extradition treaty, according to a statement released by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. The agreement, known as the Canada-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (Cepa), will reduce or eliminate tariffs on over 99 percent of Canadian exports to the UAE starting next year.

This will result in a doubling of two-way trade between the countries, from $2.4 billion to nearly $5 billion over the next decade, benefiting various Canadian industries, including agriculture, manufacturing, aerospace, and innovation. Carney also announced plans for a Joint Military Committee between the two nations, focusing on military education, training, joint exercises, cybersecurity, and information exchanges.

The UAE pledged a $50 billion investment in Canadian energy and development projects in the Arctic a year ago, and both sides appear to be leveraging this financial support in their negotiations. Human rights organizations have raised concerns about the UAE's human rights record and its role in the Sudanese civil war, while Canadian officials maintain that economic ties are the primary focus of the relationship.