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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney arrived in Jeddah on July 8, 2026, where he received a formal welcome at King Abdulaziz International Airport that included Prince Saud bin Mishaal, deputy emir of the Makkah Region, and Finance Minister Mohammed Al-Jadaan. Saudi Ambassador to Canada Amal Al-Mualimi and Canadian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia Jean-Philippe Linteau formed part of the reception party, underscoring the significance both governments attach to the occasion. The arrival follows Carney’s participation in the NATO summit in Türkiye and initiates a program that runs through July 10.
The Prime Minister’s Office stated that the visit, undertaken at the invitation of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, would centre on expanding cooperation across trade, technology and defence while advancing two-way investment. Carney is expected to hold direct talks with the crown prince and to join a business forum that brings together Canadian and Saudi private sector representatives. These sessions build directly on recent ministerial exchanges that officials in Ottawa described as creating fresh momentum in the relationship.
Global Affairs Canada figures show that in 2025 the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia ranked as Canada’s largest two-way trading partner in the Middle East and North Africa, with total merchandise trade reaching approximately $3.5 billion. Canadian exports that year stood at $1.3 billion and featured motor vehicles and parts, industrial machinery, pharmaceuticals plus scientific and precision instruments, while energy products accounted for more than 92 percent of the $2.2 billion in imports from the kingdom. The department’s data places the relationship within a broader pattern of commercial exchange that has persisted for more than 50 years.
An announcement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office on June 30 listed mining, artificial intelligence, cleantech, agriculture, tourism, infrastructure and life sciences among the priority sectors slated for discussion. The business forum component is designed to identify specific opportunities for collaboration on energy, critical minerals, defence and aerospace projects that align with diversification goals in both countries. Canadian officials noted that the visit represents the first by a sitting prime minister to Saudi Arabia in 26 years.
The agenda reflects a period of gradual normalization in diplomatic ties that were strained by a dispute in 2018, according to records maintained by Global Affairs Canada. Meetings during the trip are set to review progress on shared files including regional security questions and supply-chain resilience in strategic commodities. Representatives from both sides will assess potential frameworks that could translate identified priorities into measurable cooperation outcomes over the coming months.
