Prime Minister Mark Carney stated Canada's intention to foster closer relations with Saudi Arabia, signaling a departure from previous diplomatic lecturing and emphasizing engagement over outright condemnation of human rights issues.
Carney's visit to Jeddah, the first by a Canadian premier in 25 years, aimed to solidify partnerships in critical sectors including energy, artificial intelligence, and critical minerals. This engagement marks a significant shift from the approach of his predecessor, Justin Trudeau, whose government had publicly criticized the kingdom's human rights record, notably concerning jailed activists like Raif Badawi.
The Prime Minister articulated his strategy as a move to diversify Canada's international trade relationships and reduce economic reliance on the United States. He clarified that engagement does not equate to endorsement, stating, "Engaging with the country doesn't mean that we agree with everything that a country is doing."
Highlighting the value of direct diplomacy, Carney remarked, "Lecturing countries from afar is an ineffective strategy. It's satisfying, but it's ineffective." This sentiment underscores the shift towards pragmatic, private dialogue. Relations between Canada and Saudi Arabia deteriorated in 2018 following Canada's call for the release of human rights campaigners, leading to Saudi Arabia's expulsion of the Canadian ambassador and a severing of economic ties.
Carney's office announced that a formal agreement is expected next year to facilitate Canadian business expansion into Saudi Arabia. When questioned about ongoing trade negotiations with the United States, Carney offered no specific details, stating only, "I'll keep you posted."
