Key facts
- Carney's visit marks the first bilateral trip by a Canadian leader to Turkey.
- The visit aims to position Canada as a key partner in trade and investment.
- Bilateral trade between Canada and Turkey has risen by nearly 50% in the past five years.
- Canada has signed over 20 trade deals in the past year to double non-US exports.
- Canada still sends nearly 70% of its exports to the US.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is visiting Turkey on Thursday to meet President Tayyip Erdogan, aiming to deepen trade and investment ties and reduce Canada's reliance on the US. This marks the first bilateral visit by a Canadian leader to Turkey. Carney's global trade initiative seeks to buffer Canada from US trade policies under President Donald Trump. Turkey, a NATO member, is seeking new investment in its defense, energy, and mining sectors. Carney's office stated the visit aims to position Canada as a key trade and investment partner. While trade between the two nations is relatively small, it has grown significantly in recent years. Carney has pursued a strategy of diversifying Canada's export markets, including engaging with China, despite security concerns.