Corridors
The partnerships Canada is building, and what each opens.
Canada has 16 free trade agreements across 51 countries and has set out to double its exports outside the United States over the next decade. This page is the dated status of the corridors that matter for a company on the Canada to Gulf route, in the government's own words where possible, checked on 13 November 2026.
Signed, not yet in force
Canada and the United Arab Emirates CEPA
Negotiations launched November 2025, concluded July 2026 in 47 days, signed in Ottawa on 27 October 2026
What it is. A comprehensive economic partnership agreement; the governments say it will eliminate tariffs on over 99% of Canadian exports to the UAE, alongside the investment protection agreement already in force
Why it matters. The UAE is the regional hub for the Gulf; Canadian goods, food and services get a tariff-free door, and UAE capital gets a framework for Canadian projects
Source: Trade Commissioner Service, agreements list; Global Affairs Canada release of July 2026
Canada and Indonesia CEPA
Announced in Ottawa in September 2025, Canada's first bilateral trade agreement with an ASEAN country
What it is. Tariff reductions on Canadian exports such as wheat, potash, wood and soybeans, with investment partnership agreements
Why it matters. The largest ASEAN economy; a template for the Canada-ASEAN agreement under negotiation
Source: Prime Minister's Office, September 2025; Trade Commissioner Service
Canada and Ecuador
Signed July 2026
What it is. A bilateral free trade agreement
Why it matters. Part of the Latin America diversification alongside Mercosur talks
In force
Canada and the European Union
CETA provisionally applied since 2017; a digital trade agreement concluded; leaders' summit in Montreal, October 2026
What it is. CETA removes most tariffs between Canada and the EU; the 2026 summit covered critical minerals, energy and artificial intelligence
Why it matters. A Canadian entity sells into both North America and the EU under preferential terms; EU companies use Canada as the North American base
Canada, United States and Mexico (CUSMA)
In force since 2020; review cycle under way
What it is. The North American agreement; rules of origin decide which goods made in Canada qualify
Why it matters. Canada remains the door to the continent for a company that qualifies its product under the rules
CPTPP (Asia-Pacific)
In force since 2018 for Canada; the United Kingdom joined in 2024
What it is. Eleven Pacific economies plus the UK, including Japan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia and Mexico
Why it matters. One set of rules from Canada into the fastest-growing consumer markets
In negotiation
Canada and India CEPA
Consultations closed January 2026; negotiators exchanging visits in October 2026; the minister has said the aim is a deal by year end
What it is. A comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Canada's seventh-largest trading partner (two-way trade CAD 30.8 billion in 2024)
Why it matters. For Indian groups landing in Canada and Canadian suppliers selling into India
Source: Global Affairs Canada, December 2025 release; Trade Commissioner Service
Canada and ASEAN
Leaders agreed in October 2025 to aim for conclusion in 2026; bilateral talks with Thailand and the Philippines launched
What it is. A free trade agreement with the ten-member bloc
Why it matters. Southeast Asia is where Canada's trade has nearly doubled since 2015
Source: Global Affairs Canada, November 2025 release; Trade Commissioner Service
Canada and Mercosur
Consultations closed January 2026; the minister has named it among three deals to sign in 2026
What it is. Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay; Canada's merchandise trade with the bloc was CAD 15.8 billion in 2024
Why it matters. Mining, agri-food and machinery two ways
Investment protection agreements in the Gulf
Canada negotiating foreign investment promotion and protection agreements with Qatar and Saudi Arabia (among others), per Global Affairs Canada, August 2026
What it is. Treaties that protect investors in each other's markets
Why it matters. The legal floor under Gulf capital in Canadian projects, after the UAE agreement that is already in force
Status and dates are as published by the Government of Canada and the Trade Commissioner Service on the date checked. WeOpen.ca is an independent initiative and not a government agency.
Questions
What does signed, not yet in force mean?
Both governments have signed; each ratifies through its own process; the tariff cuts start on the entry into force date, which is published when set. Until then the current tariffs apply.
Where is the official list?
The Trade Commissioner Service keeps the list of agreements in force, signed and under negotiation. This page is a reading of it for companies on the Canada to Gulf corridor, checked on the date shown.
What is the UAE agreement worth to a company?
The governments say it will eliminate tariffs on over 99% of Canadian exports to the UAE once in force. What it is worth to one company depends on its product's tariff line and rules of origin; the landed cost calculator shows the difference.
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