Yesterday, the Honourable Maninder Sidhu, Minister of International Trade, met with Helen McEntee, Ireland's Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister for Defence, while in Dublin, Ireland, celebrating the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Canada‑EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).
The meeting focused on Canada and Ireland's growing trade relationship, with bilateral merchandise trade up nearly 150% since the introduction of CETA a decade ago. Minister Sidhu noted the recent steps Ireland has taken toward ratifying CETA and emphasized that Ireland's ratification would send a strong signal of shared commitment to rules-based trade. Minister Sidhu also highlighted Canada's continued investment in Ireland, which is the fifth largest destination in Europe for Canadian direct investment abroad.
The two ministers welcomed Prime Minister Mark Carney's June 2026 visit to Ireland and meeting with Taoiseach Micheál Martin as a significant milestone in deepening Canada-Ireland relations. They noted opportunities to expand trade and investment in strategic sectors, including security, and committed to continued collaboration to advance these priorities.
The ministers underscored the growing partnership between Canada and the EU under Ireland's EU Council Presidency. They highlighted the upcoming Canada-EU Summit, which Canada will host in Montréal, Quebec, on October 29 and 30, 2026, as an unprecedented opportunity to build a stronger Canada-EU alliance.
