Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is looking to restart trade negotiations with the United Kingdom as Ottawa seeks to reduce its dependence on the U.S., particularly in light of Donald Trump’s trade policies. Trudeau recently secured a temporary reprieve from U.S. tariffs by agreeing to stricter border controls, but with uncertainty lingering, Canadian High Commissioner to the U.K. Ralph Goodale stressed the need for trade diversification. He urged Britain to return to the negotiating table after talks collapsed last year over agricultural disputes.
The stalled negotiations have also hindered Canada’s ratification of the U.K.’s membership in the Indo-Pacific CPTPP trade bloc. While London aims to expand its trade beyond Europe, Ottawa is eager to lessen its reliance on the U.S. However, Goodale acknowledged that the new Labour government under Keir Starmer might take time to reassess priorities before resuming discussions. Canada also faces political uncertainty, as Trudeau’s resignation announcement has triggered a leadership race ahead of the 2025 general election.
Despite these challenges, Goodale remains optimistic, emphasizing that the existing trade agreement between Canada and the U.K. remains strong. He expressed hope that renewed talks could focus on key sectors like science, technology, and artificial intelligence, paving the way for a more comprehensive trade relationship.
