UK, Canada unveil new plans for economic, security partnership

By Aysu Bicer

LONDON (AA) - The UK and Canada have unveiled plans to deepen trade and security cooperation following a high-level bilateral meeting between British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his Canadian counterpart Mark Carney on Sunday at Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

In a joint statement released by Downing Street, the UK government hailed the plans as a move that would bring “huge benefits” to British businesses.

The leaders committed to creating a new “joint task force” aimed at “turbocharging progress on other areas of mutual benefit, including technology and artificial intelligence – in support of shared growth and our national security.”

The premiers also pledged to resume negotiations on a broader UK-Canada free trade agreement. Talks were previously suspended under the former Conservative government amid disagreements over agricultural issues, including beef and cheese.

“The task force will also look to make progress on the wider UK-Canada Free Trade Agreement,” Downing Street said.

“The Canada-UK partnership, rooted in a common history and enduring people-to-people ties, continues to grow stronger, with a focus on delivering prosperity and security for the working people of Canada and the UK alike.”

The two leaders also "underscored the importance of a fair, open and predictable global trading system; reiterated their commitment to a rules-based international order underpinned by respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity; and committed to advancing peace and trans-Atlantic security."

The announcement comes as the UK government seeks to broaden its international trade reach, having secured economic agreements with India, the US, and the EU in recent months.

On the sidelines of the G7 summit, Starmer also held talks with Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni.

In a meeting described as “lengthy,” the two leaders addressed the escalating crisis in the Middle East, warning of the dire human cost and the broader economic risks posed by rising oil prices.

“The devastating human toll as well as the potential global economic impact caused by rising global oil prices cannot be underestimated,” they agreed.

They called for “restraint and de-escalation” in the region, and stressed the importance of diplomacy at a moment the UK government described as “vitally important” for global stability.

Reiterating their “enduring support for Ukraine,” the leaders pledged to continue coordinated efforts on European defense and collective security during the G7 discussions.

Migration also featured prominently in the talks, with both leaders vowing to ramp up efforts to curb irregular routes into Europe and the UK.

They “confirmed that they would continue working together on innovative solutions to break the criminal model of irregular migration.”