Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney defended his recent trip to Saudi Arabia on Thursday, asserting that publicly lecturing nations from afar is an ineffective diplomatic strategy. During his visit to Jeddah, the first by a Canadian leader in 26 years, Carney held meetings with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom’s de facto ruler. Addressing the media, the Prime Minister emphasized that engagement does not equate to total agreement with a host nation’s policies.
Carney is currently working to diversify Canada’s trade partnerships and attract foreign investment, aiming to reduce the country’s heavy economic reliance on the United States amid ongoing concerns regarding U.S. tariffs and the stability of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. He noted that the global landscape is becoming increasingly dangerous and divided, necessitating a broader international strategy.
This visit marks a significant shift from the approach of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, whose 2018 public criticism of Saudi Arabia’s human rights record triggered a five-year diplomatic rift, resulting in the expulsion of Canada’s ambassador and the suspension of trade ties. Relations were only fully restored in 2023. The 2018 diplomatic fallout followed global scrutiny over the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi, an operation a U.S. intelligence assessment linked to Prince Mohammed, who denies the allegation.
Addressing concerns regarding his own stance on human rights, Carney stated that he remains deeply committed to such issues and individual consular cases. He cited a recent conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of a NATO summit in Ankara as an example of how direct, in-person engagement can yield favorable results compared to passive observation from Ottawa. Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, who joined the Prime Minister in Saudi Arabia, confirmed that she also raised human rights and consular matters during her own meetings.
As part of the kingdom’s broader initiative to diversify its economy away from oil, the visit saw the formalization of 13 commercial agreements and memorandums of understanding. These deals, involving Canadian entities such as engineering firms Hatch and AtkinsRéalis, are valued at over 1 billion Canadian dollars, or approximately 710 million U.S. dollars. University of Toronto professor emeritus Nelson Wiseman observed that Carney’s pragmatic approach reflects a reality-based strategy, noting that the Prime Minister is choosing to navigate the world as it currently exists rather than relying on performative pressure on authoritarian leadership. Carney is scheduled to return to Canada on Friday.
Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers closing remarks at a business forum in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during a media availability in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, July 9, 2026. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)
