Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney defended his recent trip to Saudi Arabia, emphasizing engagement over distant criticism as a more effective strategy for addressing human rights concerns and fostering economic ties. The visit, the first by a Canadian leader to the kingdom in 26 years, included a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the de facto ruler.
Carney stated during his visit to Jeddah that "lecturing countries from afar is an ineffective strategy," adding that while it may be satisfying, it does not yield results. He stressed that engagement does not imply agreement with all aspects of a country's actions.
This approach marks a departure from the previous Canadian government's stance. In 2018, the administration of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly criticized Saudi Arabia's human rights record, particularly following the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi. That criticism led to a five-year diplomatic rift, including Riyadh expelling Canada's ambassador and suspending trade.
Carney indicated that he raised human rights and consular issues during his meetings, citing a case he discussed with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan that he believes was favorably addressed due to direct engagement. Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, who accompanied Carney, also confirmed raising similar issues.
The prime minister is seeking to diversify Canada's economic partnerships beyond its heavy reliance on the United States, particularly amid U.S. tariffs and uncertainties surrounding the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Saudi Arabia is also actively seeking foreign investment to diversify its oil-dependent economy under Crown Prince Mohammed's ambitious reform plan.
During the visit, 13 commercial agreements and memorandums of understanding between Canadian and Saudi companies were signed, valued at over 1 billion Canadian dollars (approximately $710 million). These agreements involve firms such as engineering companies Hatch and AtkinsRéalis.
Nelson Wiseman, a professor emeritus at the University of Toronto, commented on Carney's pragmatic approach, suggesting it reflects an understanding of the limitations of public criticism toward authoritarian leaders. Carney is scheduled to return to Canada on Friday.