President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomes Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Presidential Complex, on July 7, 2026, in Ankara, Türkiye. ( TUR Presidency/ Murat Kula – Anadolu Agency )
July 07, 2026 08:01 PM GMT+03:00
Türkiye and Canada have formally launched negotiations toward a comprehensive free trade agreement, with both countries’ technical teams set to begin preparatory work in the coming weeks, Türkiye’s Ministry of Trade announced.
The decision was taken during a bilateral meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney held in Ankara on the sidelines of the NATO Summit.
The two leaders directed their delegations to officially open FTA talks aimed at deepening the economic partnership between the two countries.
Joint ministerial declaration preceded the summit meeting
The announcement builds on a Joint Ministerial Declaration published last month by Trade Minister Omer Bolat and Canada’s Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, in which both sides signaled their intent to pursue a comprehensive trade agreement.
The leaders’ announcement at the NATO Summit marks the formal political endorsement of that process.
“The two countries are moving to the next stage with the launch of negotiations for a comprehensive, modern and mutually beneficial FTA,” the ministry said in a statement.
Technical teams to define scope ahead of first negotiating round
In the weeks ahead, technical teams from both countries will carry out the groundwork needed to define the agreement’s scope and objectives, as well as prepare for the first round of formal negotiations.
“Both countries’ officials have begun the necessary preparations for a high-quality, comprehensive agreement,” the ministry said.
The agreement is expected to support Türkiye’s economic growth, contribute to job creation, enhance the country’s competitiveness, strengthen global supply chains and advance economic cooperation with Canada, according to the ministry.
A new chapter in bilateral economic ties
Free trade agreements between NATO allies have historically served both economic and strategic purposes, providing frameworks for reducing tariffs, harmonizing regulatory standards and deepening investment ties.
For Türkiye, which maintains a customs union with the European Union covering industrial goods, a bilateral FTA with Canada would represent a significant expansion of its network of preferential trade arrangements.
No timeline has been set for concluding the negotiations.
July 07, 2026 08:01 PM GMT+03:00