Türkiye and Canada Open Trade Talks After Arms Embargo Dispute
By Bosphorus News Economy Desk
Türkiye and Canada have agreed to launch exploratory talks toward a free trade agreement, opening a new trade track after years of tension over Canada's arms embargo and export controls as energy, clean technology and nuclear cooperation move into the bilateral agenda.
The decision followed a meeting in Ankara between Turkish Trade Minister Ömer Bolat and Canadian Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu, the two governments said in a joint ministerial statement.
The meeting came after a telephone call between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, which both sides described as an impetus for deeper trade and investment ties. The ministers agreed to exchange visits to maintain momentum and identify concrete areas for collaboration.
The joint statement identified energy as one of the main areas for expanded cooperation. The ministers said the two sides would explore opportunities in clean technologies, renewable energy and nuclear technology, placing the energy file alongside the wider trade agenda.
Reuters and BNN Bloomberg reported that Canada's CANDU reactor technology is among the options discussed as Türkiye looks to diversify its long-term nuclear energy program. Türkiye already hosts Russia's Akkuyu nuclear power plant project and has held talks with several countries over additional reactor capacity.
The trade opening follows a difficult period in defense ties. Canada suspended and later restricted military export permits to Türkiye after Syria and Karabakh-related concerns, a policy widely treated in Ankara as an arms embargo. Ottawa lifted the special controls in January 2024, shortly after Ankara ratified Sweden's NATO membership.
The exploratory talks do not constitute formal free trade negotiations. They are intended to assess the possible scope of an agreement, identify areas of mutual commercial interest and build the institutional groundwork for a structured negotiation if both governments decide to move forward.
Sidhu described Türkiye as a NATO ally and a strategic partner linking Europe and Asia, saying the relationship had "even greater potential." The Canadian side also pointed to Türkiye's diplomatic calendar, with Ankara set to host the NATO Summit in July 2026 and Antalya due to host COP31 in November 2026.
Bilateral trade between the two countries has been expanding, but remains below the level both governments say the relationship can support. The exploratory process gives Ankara and Ottawa a formal channel to test whether a relationship long shaped by NATO, arms export controls and cautious trade can move into a wider economic framework built around energy, investment and industrial technology.
Sources: Global Affairs Canada, Türkiye's Trade Ministry, Reuters, BNN Bloomberg, Bosphorus News review and reporting.