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Canada and UAE Sign Comprehensive Trade Deal
· Confirmed
In Short: Canada and the United Arab Emirates signed a comprehensive trade deal to lower barriers between their economies and boost investment.
Al Jazeera (Qatar) and Hurriyetdailynews (Türkiye) reported that Canada and the UAE signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) in Ottawa on Tuesday, with the aim of reducing or eliminating tariffs on over 99 percent of current Canadian exports to the UAE.
According to Al Jazeera (Qatar), the agreement is expected to enter into force in 2027, after Canada’s Parliament ratifies it. Hurriyetdailynews (Türkiye) noted that the deal was concluded in a record 47 days, the fastest either country has ever negotiated a free trade agreement.
Arabnews (Saudi Arabia) reported that Emirati companies announced negotiating trade and investment deals worth up to CA$21.1 billion with Canadian counterparts on the sidelines of the signing ceremony.
The Prime Minister of Canada (Canada) stated that the CEPA will double two-way trade from $3.4 billion to $7 billion over the next decade, providing greater access to the UAE’s $700 billion economy and a gateway to the wider Middle East and North African market.
While the exact figures and timelines may vary slightly, all sources agree that the CEPA aims to reduce trade barriers, boost investment, and create new market opportunities for Canadian businesses in sectors such as agriculture, aerospace, and critical minerals.
The agreement also includes preliminary agreements on energy, diplomatic, and defence cooperation, as reported by Hurriyetdailynews (Türkiye) and Pajhwok Afghan News.
The signing of the CEPA reflects Canada’s efforts to diversify its trade beyond the United States and the UAE’s strategy to expand its network of bilateral trade deals.
In conclusion, despite minor discrepancies in the details, all outlets agree that the CEPA will significantly enhance economic ties between Canada and the UAE, opening new avenues for trade and investment.
What's confirmed
- “Once fully implemented, the CEPA will reduce or eliminate tariffs on over 99 percent of current Canadian exports to the UAE,” the Prime Minister’s Office said in a statement.
- “The agreement will also address non-tariff barriers, create a more predictable environment for trade and investment, and expand market access for Canadian goods and services, including in the industrial, agricultural, forest, fish and seafood, environmental, and engineering sectors,” it said, adding that CEPA is expected to enter into force in 2027.
- Canada and the United Arab Emirates formally signed a free trade agreement in Ottawa on Tuesday.
- Details : The agreement, known as a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), was signed by Canada’s International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu and UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, with Carney and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in attendance at the signing ceremony.
- “In less than a year, we have put an investment protection agreement in force, negotiated and signed a trade agreement in record time, and turned a historic $70 billion commitment into real investments in Canadian energy, infrastructure, and technology,” Carney said.
- "Once fully implemented, the CEPA will reduce or eliminate tariffs on over 99% of current Canadian exports to the UAE. That means new markets for Canadian farmers growing pulses and canola, for manufacturers of industrial machinery and power generation equipment, for our world-class aerospace sector, and other Canadian innovators," The Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.
- "We see considerable potential for our private sector, whether through improved market access for our exporters or access to investment opportunities in high-growth sectors such as logistics, communications, advanced technology and manufacturing - all of which will support our pursuit of a resilient, diversified and globally connected economy,” UAE's Foreign Trade Minister Thani Al Zeyoudi said in a statement.
- The two countries also signed preliminary agreements on energy, diplomatic and defence cooperation.
What's still developing
- Negotiations for the Canada-UAE CEPA concluded in July, after the two countries announced their intention to launch talks in November 2025.
- The visit follows Carney’s trip to the UAE in November, when the UAE announced a 70 billion Canadian dollar ($50 billion) investment commitment to Canada and the two sides signed a foreign investment protection agreement.
- Category All categories Accidents & Disasters Agriculture Business & Economics Business & Investment Data Journalism Stories Education Environment Features and Investigative Reports Governance & Politics Health Innovation & Technology Interviews Media Releases Migration Opinions Peace Reconstruction Religion & Culture Security & Crime Society Sports Sports Uncategorized Women World Cup World News KABUL ( Pajhwok ): Canada and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have signed a comprehensive trade agreement to reduce trade barriers and boost investment between the two countries, Reuters reported.
- Bilateral trade between the two countries was valued at 3.5 billion Canadian dollars (2.48 billion US dollars) last year, according to government data.
- During their meeting, the leaders agreed to deepen the Canada-UAE relationship and launched a new Strategic Partnership.
- In a more dangerous and divided world, Canada’s government is focused on what we can control: building our strength at home and forging reliable new partnerships abroad.
- Carney said the two countries are “building big,” noting that an investment protection agreement has also entered into force within the year.
- President Donald Trump’s tariffs and the breakdown of trade talks with Washington have prompted Ottawa to pursue agreements across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.