Mark Carney Makes First Canadian Prime Minister Visit to Türkiye

Prime Minister Mark Carney is conducting the first-ever official bilateral visit by a Canadian head of government to Türkiye from October 21 to 23, 2026. The visit is a central component of Carney's strategy to diversify Canada's economic ties and reduce trade dependence on the United States following the collapse of trade talks in August and ongoing tensions with the Washington administration.

In Ankara, Carney is scheduled to meet with President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to sign a joint declaration establishing cooperation committees for aerospace, mining, high-tech, and agriculture. The leaders will discuss defense industry cooperation, naval systems, and drone technology. Türkiye has already agreed to become a founding member of Canada's Defence Security and Resilience Bank. Energy discussions will focus on the purchase of liquefied natural gas and a potential bid by Canada's CANDU to construct a nuclear power plant on the Black Sea coast.

In Istanbul, Carney will meet with investors and business leaders to promote Canadian aerospace and advanced technologies. The two nations plan to formally launch free trade agreement negotiations in November, aiming to increase bilateral trade from $2 billion to between $7 billion and $10 billion. Additionally, Export Development Canada will sign a cooperation agreement with Türk Eximbank to support joint ventures in Africa and the Middle East.

The diplomatic push occurs despite criticism from LGBTQ+ groups regarding Canada's silence on Turkish raids against minority advocacy organizations, as well as historical tensions involving Canada's Armenian diaspora and previous military export restrictions.