Canada, Turkey sign 'strategic partnership' as part of Carney push to cut reliance on US

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan signed a strategic partnership in Ankara on Thursday, upgrading bilateral ties to focus on trade, investment, defense, security, and energy. The agreement is part of Carney's push to reduce Canada's reliance on the United States amid a trade war with President Donald Trump, who has applied sweeping tariffs and questioned Canadian sovereignty. The partnership includes a three-year action plan and aims to raise trade volume from $3 billion to $10 billion, though no timeframe was given. Canadian and Turkish ministers signed cooperation deals on energy, defense, and air transport. Carney said the partnership will create opportunities for workers and businesses. Erdogan praised Carney as a leader with 'common sense and acumen' and said the deal alleviates a 'long-standing disconnect.' The two sides will begin free trade talks next month. The article notes that Canada has signed more than 20 trade deals in the last year as part of Carney's strategy to double non-US exports. It also mentions Turkey's crackdown on the opposition and LGBTQ+ community, which has drawn criticism from rights groups, and notes that Carney has focused less on rights than his predecessors.