UAE and Canada conclude Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement talks in record time

The UAE and Canada have concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. The announcement came on Sunday 26 July 2026, with talks having begun only last month, the fastest negotiation concluded under the UAE's CEPA programme.

Bilateral trade between the two countries reached approximately $4.2 billion in 2025, a 21 percent increase on the previous year. Once ratified and implemented, the agreement will reduce tariffs and expand market access in sectors including clean energy, advanced technology, data centres, aviation, agri-food and critical minerals.

UAE Minister of Foreign Trade Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi and Canada's Minister of International Trade Maninder Sidhu signed the agreement. The UAE launched its CEPA programme in September 2021 and has since concluded agreements with 38 countries. Abu Dhabi says its total trade has passed $1 trillion, six years ahead of its original target.