Carney’s 2026 travel slate aims to lock in trade and investment
Since taking office, Prime Minister Mark Carney has travelled widely to secure trade and investment as he seeks to double non‑U.S. exports. Here are the likely trips and summits on his 2026 calendar.
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By Torontoer Staff
Prime Minister Mark Carney has been travelling on government aircraft to pursue trade links and foreign investment as part of a push to double non‑U.S. exports over the next decade. In January he visited France, China, Qatar and Switzerland, and his office says more international engagements will follow.
The Prime Minister’s Office routinely limits advance public disclosure of trips, and geopolitical developments can alter summit plans. Still, several visits and multilateral meetings are widely expected to feature on Carney’s calendar in 2026.
India on the near horizon, Australia possible
Carney is likely to visit New Delhi in February to attend a major artificial intelligence summit, an invitation confirmed last autumn. India’s High Commissioner to Canada, Dinesh Patnaik, told reporters the invitation was to attend a summit set for Feb. 19 and 20.
Officials familiar with Ottawa’s Indo‑Pacific outreach have been consulted about a potential Australia stop that could follow the India trip. The Prime Minister’s Office declined to confirm any travel that has not been formally announced.
Additional details about the prime minister’s upcoming international engagements will follow. By forging new partnerships around the world, we will diversify trade, build a stronger, more independent Canadian economy, and secure more opportunities for Canadians.
Laura Scaffidi, PMO spokesperson
South America: Brazil and Mercosur talks
Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Carney accepted an invitation to visit Brazil in April to discuss trade. Carney’s office has not yet confirmed the trip. Ottawa has intensified discussions with the Mercosur bloc, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay, as part of its strategy to expand markets for Canadian exporters.
Key multilateral summits to watch
Carney is widely expected to attend a series of major international meetings that shape trade and security policy. France will host the G7 summit in Évian‑les‑Bains from June 15 to 17. NATO leaders will meet in Ankara, Türkiye, on July 7 and 8. The United Nations General Assembly high‑level week begins on Sept. 22 in New York.
The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is scheduled for Nov. 1 to 4 in Antigua and Barbuda. Attendance at these summits offers opportunities for bilateral meetings and investment promotion that align with Ottawa’s export diversification goals.
Asia‑Pacific cluster: China, ASEAN and regional forums
Carney confirmed he will return to China for the Asia‑Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ summit in Shenzhen on Nov. 18 and 19. Nearby gatherings could include the Association of Southeast Asian Nations leaders’ meeting in the Philippines from Nov. 10 to 12 and the Francophonie summit in Cambodia around mid‑November.
Ottawa has signalled a desire to finalise a trade agreement with the ASEAN bloc before the leaders’ meetings, and those parallel schedules create a window to advance both multilateral and bilateral trade priorities.
Americas: G20 in Miami and the uncertain Summit of the Americas
U.S. President Donald Trump will host the G20 in Miami on Dec. 14 and 15. The invitation list is not final, and the event comes amid tensions over membership and the tone of multilateral cooperation. Canada is expected to send the prime minister to the meeting.
The Summit of the Americas, postponed from December in the Dominican Republic, is slated to return in 2026 but faces uncertainty after disputes over invited countries and regional political turbulence. Canada has attended every Summit of the Americas and will monitor developments closely.
Japan and other bilateral priorities
Ottawa has repeatedly identified Japan as a priority partner. A planned visit to Tokyo was delayed last year while Japan selected a new prime minister and the country moved toward a snap election on Feb. 8. Any rescheduling would factor into the wider Asia itinerary.
Security visits and already completed trips
Carney made a discreet visit to Kyiv in August, a trip kept private for security reasons. He has also discussed defence procurement with allies, including a planned purchase of an Australian radar system for Arctic operations.
Travel plans remain fluid. Summit dates, shifting geopolitics and the Prime Minister’s bilateral priorities will determine the final itinerary, but the overarching objective is consistent: diversify markets, attract investment and expand export opportunities for Canadian businesses.
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