The Government of Canada is taking bold steps to diversify trade, attract investment, and create new opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers. At the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced major initiatives to deepen Canada’s economic ties with global partners and accelerate growth in critical sectors.
South Africa, Canada’s largest trading partner on the African continent, will be a key focus of these efforts. Canada and South Africa will begin discussions toward a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, concluded negotiations on a Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, and welcomed the opening of FinDev Canada’s new regional office in Cape Town in 2026. These actions will strengthen collaboration in clean energy, critical minerals, and advanced technologies—areas vital to Canada’s economic future.
The Prime Minister also outlined Canada’s vision to connect the Asia-Pacific’s CPTPP and the European Union, creating one of the world’s largest integrated trading networks. Canada is committed to unleashing $1 trillion in investment over the next five years to grow sectors such as clean energy, AI, advanced manufacturing, and agri-food.
"Canada’s leadership on the global stage means more opportunities for Canadians here at home.” Said Sonia Sidhu, M.P. for Brampton South, “By strengthening trade and investment partnerships, we are opening doors for businesses in Brampton and across the country to access new markets, attract investment, and create good-paying jobs. These initiatives will help build a resilient economy that works for everyone."
At the G20 Leaders’ Summit, the Prime Minister also met with the Director-General of the World Trade Organization, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, the Chancellor of Germany, Friedrich Merz, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Sir Keir Starmer, the President of Türkiye, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the Prime Minister of Italy, Giorgia Meloni, to discuss various areas of cooperation and new partnerships.
The G20 Leaders’ Summit followed the Prime Minister’s visit to the United Arab Emirates, where Canada secured a $70-billion foreign investment commitment – the largest in Canadian history. In a rapidly changing and more uncertain world, Canada is creating new partnerships, growing our markets, and strengthening our industries to deliver high-paying careers for Canadians.
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“Canada’s new government is building new partnerships, diversifying trade, and unleashing $1 trillion in new investment over the next five years. At the core of this mission is forging new partnerships and leading our partners in this new era of cooperation. At the G20 Leaders’ Summit, Canada accelerated cooperation in critical minerals, AI, and energy, made investments to protect global health, and focused on creating transformative new opportunities for Canadian workers and businesses.”
The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada