Turkey and Canada start talks on free trade deal

Turkey and Canada have agreed to launch exploratory discussions for a free trade pact, with a focus on the energy sector.

Turkish trade minister Ömer Bolat and Canada’s minister of international trade Maninder Sidhu met on Monday to discuss ways to deepen the bilateral trade and investment relationship, the countries said in a joint statement.

The free trade pact is a step that reflects the ambition of both countries to unlock the full potential of the commercial partnership, the statement said.

The ministers identified energy as a promising area for expanded cooperation, exploring opportunities in renewable and nuclear energy, including the potential of Canada’s Candu nuclear power technology to support Ankara’s energy diversification goals.

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In May 2025, Turkish energy minister Alparslan Bayraktar said the country was in talks with Canada’s Candu Energy and other companies regarding plans to build its second and third nuclear power plants.

Ankara intends to build a second nuclear plant in the Black Sea region of Sinop and a third in the northwestern region of Thrace.

Russian nuclear energy company Rosatom is building Turkey’s first nuclear power station at Akkuyu for $20 billion.