Prime Minister Mark Carney has made headlines this week with his inaugural visit to Saudi Arabia, aiming to foster stronger trade and investment relations. This represents a notable departure from the policies of his predecessor, who had openly critiqued the kingdom over its human rights record and the controversial assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi in 2018. Carney’s visit signals a strategic pivot as he seeks new partners beyond Canada’s primary trading ally, the United States.
A Historic Visit
Carney’s engagement marks the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to Saudi Arabia in 26 years. Meeting with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, he announced the formation of the Canada-Saudi Arabia Co-ordination Council, designed to enhance collaboration in various sectors, including defence and commerce. “Engagement is not endorsement,” Carney stated during a press conference in Jeddah, emphasising that dialogue does not equate to agreement with a nation’s policies. He acknowledged the need for Canada to diversify its trade partnerships, moving away from an over-reliance on the U.S. market.
Re-establishing Diplomatic Ties
In a bid to strengthen diplomatic relations, Canada is reinstating the position of a defence attaché at its embassy in Riyadh. Additionally, the Canadian government plans to sign a foreign investment protection agreement with Saudi Arabia by the end of 2027. This treaty will establish legally binding guidelines for how each nation treats the other’s investors, which is expected to foster greater confidence in bilateral investment.
Carney also indicated that representatives from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund would attend the upcoming Canada Investment Summit in Toronto this September. Meanwhile, Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne is slated to lead a delegation of Canadian pension fund officials to Saudi Arabia in the months ahead to explore potential investment ventures.
Criticism of Carney’s Approach
Carney’s pragmatic, transactional approach to foreign policy has drawn criticism from notable figures, including former Foreign Affairs Minister Lloyd Axworthy. Axworthy expressed discomfort with what he perceives as a departure from long-standing Liberal values. “He keeps wanting to say he’s erasing the Trudeau legacy,” Axworthy remarked, highlighting concerns that Carney is disregarding a broader historical context that extends beyond the current administration.
The diplomatic rift between Canada and Saudi Arabia began in earnest in 2018 after the Canadian government’s public condemnation of Saudi Arabia’s human rights abuses. This led to a significant downturn in relations, with Riyadh expelling Canada’s ambassador and freezing new investments. The fallout intensified following the Khashoggi murder, a case that has become emblematic of the kingdom’s human rights violations, including a pattern of silencing dissent abroad.
Engaging with Controversial Partners
Despite the controversies surrounding Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, Carney asserts that engagement is a necessary tool for achieving tangible results. He cited discussions with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as an example of effective diplomatic dialogue yielding positive outcomes. However, the Prime Minister has remained reticent about whether he addressed human rights concerns during his meetings with Saudi officials. Critics, including Axworthy, have questioned the lack of a clear foreign policy framework under Carney’s leadership, arguing that this vagueness leaves vital issues inadequately addressed.
Why it Matters
Carney’s visit to Saudi Arabia signifies a pivotal moment in Canada’s foreign policy, suggesting a willingness to engage with nations that pose ethical dilemmas in pursuit of economic benefits. This approach raises important questions about the balance between moral principles and pragmatic governance. As Canada seeks to redefine its role on the global stage, the implications of such engagements could shape not only trade relations but also influence Canada’s reputation in the realm of human rights advocacy. The delicate interplay between economic interests and ethical commitments remains a crucial challenge for Carney’s administration moving forward.