Carney signs Turkey deal, pushes back on U.S. election claims

Prime Minister Mark Carney signed a strategic partnership agreement with Turkey on Friday, a move designed to reduce Canada's economic reliance on the United States. The deal comes as Ottawa seeks to diversify its trade relationships beyond its North American neighbor.

Carney defended his government's strategy of balancing trade with human rights standards. He described the approach as values-based realism, noting that few nations match Canada's specific criteria. "Engagement in those partnerships does not mean approval," Carney told reporters. "There are very few countries in this world that have the standards of Canada."

Human rights groups have increased pressure on Turkey this month after authorities conducted high-profile operations. Critics say these actions aimed to silence opposition voices, limit independent journalism, and restrict marginalized groups. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand raised these concerns with her Turkish counterpart during meetings on Thursday. Carney said he also held direct conversations with President Recep Erdogan, though he declined to provide specific details.

The partnership includes discussions on energy infrastructure. Carney stated there are good chances that Canadian engineering firm AtkinsRealis will be selected as a partner to build two nuclear power plants in Turkey. This project supports Turkey's stated climate goals.

Carney also addressed formal accusations from the United States regarding Canadian influence in the upcoming midterms. The U.S. Embassy in Ottawa released a fact sheet on Thursday alleging Canadian leaders interfered in the election. Carney dismissed the claims, saying they had no merit. "I'm disappointed that their envoy sees that as his role to make these suggestions," he said.

The prime minister emphasized that Canada maintains a deep diplomatic presence in the United States. He noted that frequent contact with American companies and citizens requires careful handling to avoid the appearance of interference in the democratic process.

The signing ceremony took place in Ankara, concluding a trip that included business meetings in Istanbul. The agreement marks a continued effort by Carney to expand trade ties with partners in regions such as Europe and the Indo-Pacific.