Prime Minister Mark Carney hosted Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan over two days, in what the Canadian government described as the first visit to Canada by a Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

The partnership sets out long-term cooperation on economic ties, energy, technology, education, defence and diplomacy, as well as cultural exchange, the government said.

What the trade deal covers

The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement will reduce or eliminate tariffs on over 99% of current Canadian exports to the UAE once fully implemented, according to the government.

It said the agreement was negotiated faster than any free trade deal either country has concluded and is expected to enter into force in 2027.

Ottawa said it would open new markets for farmers growing pulses and canola, for makers of industrial machinery and power generation equipment, and for the aerospace sector.

The deal also addresses non-tariff barriers and widens access for goods and services in industrial, agricultural, forestry, seafood, environmental and engineering sectors, the government said.

Defence and diplomacy

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on defence cooperation that updates their existing arrangement, covering military education and training, joint exercises, defence industry cooperation, cyber security and information exchange.

It also creates a Joint Military Committee to guide implementation.

Global Affairs Canada and the UAE's Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy signed a separate agreement on diplomatic training, including how artificial intelligence and digital tools affect diplomacy.

Both governments also said they will start negotiating justice and public safety agreements, including an extradition treaty and a mutual legal assistance treaty.

Investment commitments

The visit advanced the UAE's pledge to invest $70 billion in Canada, announced during Carney's visit to Abu Dhabi in November 2025, the government said.

DP World signed a memorandum with the Arctic Gateway Group and CentrePort Canada to develop a transport corridor linking the Port of Churchill, the Hudson Bay Railway and CentrePort Canada.

Masdar, the UAE renewable energy company, and Natural Resources Canada agreed an energy cooperation framework that brings together UAE and Canadian firms with government support.

Invest in Canada and the Abu Dhabi Chamber of Commerce and Industry also signed an agreement to share information and facilitate business visits.

Carney said in less than a year the two countries had put an investment protection agreement in force, signed a trade deal in record time and turned the investment pledge into projects in Canadian energy, infrastructure and technology.

Foreign Minister Anita Anand said the partnership gives the progress "a long-term direction."