Canada’s Türkiye Reset: Why Ankara Matters Now

The meeting between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney in Ankara on Oct. 22 marks the beginning of a new era in Türkiye-Canada relations. Given the busy agendas of both countries, this first-ever visit to Türkiye by a Canadian prime minister aimed at strengthening bilateral relations demonstrates that the meeting goes beyond mere symbolic diplomatic gestures. However, this rapprochement cannot be explained solely by the improvement in bilateral relations; it also warrants closer examination of Canada’s broader foreign policy priorities.

Canada’s shifting foreign policy

For many years, Canada defined its international position through its economic and security partnership with the United States, its NATO membership, and its advocacy for the multilateral international order. Relations with Washington served as a core foundation not only of Canada’s foreign policy but also of its economic prosperity. However, the trade policies of the Trump administration, including tariffs and the use of economic relations as political leverage, made the costs of this dependency increasingly visible.

Under these conditions, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s approach relies on strengthening Canada’s economic resilience and strategic autonomy. Ottawa aims to double its exports to non-U.S. markets over the next decade and attract CA$1 trillion ($710 billion) in new investment to the country within five years. Free trade agreement negotiations with Türkiye form part of this diversification strategy. Consequently, the initiative toward Ankara stems not merely from a desire to improve diplomatic relations, but from Canada’s need to restructure its economic security.

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From crisis to partnership

Despite the institutional foundation provided by NATO membership, Türkiye-Canada relations remained overshadowed by disputes in the defense industry. The two nations continued to cooperate under the NATO umbrella, while diplomatic contacts sought to manage disagreements over defense exports. On Jan 29, 2024, Canada relaxed its restrictions on military exports to Türkiye. During the NATO summit held in Ankara in July 2026, a meeting between Carney and Erdoğan demonstrated the political will to expand cooperation in defense, energy, critical minerals, and advanced technology. The decision to launch negotiations on the recently signed free trade agreement was also made during this meeting.

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Following Ankara meeting

The strategic partnership declared on Oct. 22 served as the institutional expression of this transformation. The two leaders agreed on a three-year action plan spanning trade and investment, energy, defense and security, and people-to-people ties. Additionally, it was decided to establish an annual strategic dialogue mechanism, sustain economic and commercial committee meetings, and continue political-military consultations. The memorandum aimed at facilitating defense industry partnerships stands as a crucial part of this framework.

Economic relations will serve as the most concrete measurable area of rapprochement in the upcoming period. The long-term target of reaching a $10 billion trade volume reflects political recognition of this potential.

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Limits and future of ties

Another dimension of the Türkiye-Canada rapprochement is the mutual need the two countries have for each other across different regional files. NATO’s collective defense agenda, the Russia-Ukraine war, Black Sea security, and developments in the Middle East heighten the importance of regular political consultations. Türkiye’s geographic positioning and regional diplomatic channels can contribute to Canada’s security assessments. Meanwhile, Canada’s diplomatic and economic capacity can create opportunities for Türkiye to diversify its relationships with Western partners.

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