Canada, UAE conclude negotiations on a free-trade agreement
Posted July 24, 2026 12:40 pm.
Last Updated July 24, 2026 1:23 pm.
The governments of Canada and the United Arab Emirates say they have concluded negotiations on a free-trade agreement.
International Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu told a press conference in Toronto on Friday that the next steps include legal review, the signing of the deal and ratification.
UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani al-Zeyoudi said the agreement was reached in 47 days, which he called “record time.”
Sidhu said he plans to travel to the UAE with a Canadian trade and investment delegation later this year.
The federal government’s website says bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and the UAE reached $3.4 billion in 2024.
The United Arab Emirates pledged last year to invest around $70 billion in Canada and al-Zeyoudi said he is expecting that announcements about investments will be made soon.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2026.
— With files from Elissa Mendes in Toronto
Catherine Morrison, The Canadian Press
