Canada and the United Arab Emirates signed a landmark trade agreement on Tuesday in Ottawa, with Prime Minister Mark Carney and Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan presiding over the ceremony. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) cuts or reduces tariffs on over 99% of current Canadian exports to the UAE — including pulses, canola, aerospace products and industrial machinery.
The deal’s speed was striking: negotiations took just 47 days from start to signature, one of the fastest trade negotiations Canada has ever concluded. Officials credited the compressed timeline to strong political will on both sides and the UAE’s appetite for diversified food and industrial imports.
Trade Minister Maninder Sidhu offered the boldest headline, projecting that two-way trade could double from about $3.4 billion to $7 billion over a decade under the deal. That figure is a government projection, not a guarantee, and its realization will depend on businesses actually using the new market access once the agreement is expected to enter force in 2027.
Beyond tariffs, both sides signed preliminary agreements on energy, diplomatic and defence cooperation, signaling ambitions that extend well past trade. For a Canada seeking new partners in an uncertain global economy, the CEPA is a tangible early win — provided the projections hold.
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Bhudev Bhagaliya is an experienced and senior journalist who has carved a distinct niche for himself in the world of Hindi journalism through his profound understanding and precise writing style. With over two decades of experience in the field of journalism, he has held key responsibilities at Dainik Hindustan for 12 years and at Amar Ujala for one year. Currently, he serves as the Content Editor for the Jagrook Youth News newspaper and portal, where he plays a crucial role in ensuring the quality and credibility of the news content. Bhudev Bhagaliya consistently writes about issues that help raise awareness within society and among the younger generation.