Canada, UAE conclude negotiations on a free-trade agreement

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