Canada has expressed readiness to assist in ensuring the Strait of Hormuz remains open to shipping following a recent announcement of progress in talks between Iran and the United States. Prime Minister Mark Carney made the remarks Monday as world leaders convened for the G7 summit in the French Alps.
Carney arrived at the summit site in Évian on Monday after stops in Paris and Ireland, where he met with European and Irish officials. His comments came a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a tentative agreement aimed at ending conflict with Iran, including authorizing an end to the U.S. naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump indicated the strait would not reopen until Friday, when the deal is expected to be formally signed.
Speaking to reporters in Ireland prior to his arrival in Geneva, Carney welcomed the development and said he would use the G7 meetings to explore ways Canada and its partners can support the implementation of the deal. He emphasized the importance of strengthening commodity supply chains to withstand disruptions caused by regional conflicts, a topic slated for discussion during the summit.
Carney also highlighted Canada’s recent involvement in the SAFE defence procurement agreement with the European Union, announcing that Montreal-based Marconi Technologies secured the first Canadian contract under the pact. Canada is the only non-EU member to join the agreement, which received formal backing from the European Parliament in May.
On Monday, Carney joined leaders from France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom in issuing a joint statement expressing cautious optimism over the U.S.-Iran breakthrough. The declaration underscored the urgency of concluding detailed negotiations and quickly implementing the agreement to restore stability to the region and the global economy.
The statement affirmed that the Strait of Hormuz must be reopened to commercial shipping and committed the leaders to contributing to a strictly defensive, independent mission focusing on reassuring vessels and clearing mines. It also reiterated opposition to Iran acquiring nuclear weapons and a willingness to lift sanctions contingent on verifiable steps by Iran, coordinated with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Further, the statement reaffirmed support for Lebanon’s sovereignty and the importance of a robust ceasefire in the region.
Carney echoed these themes in a social media statement, stressing that any durable ceasefire must guarantee safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz while addressing Iran’s nuclear activities. He called on all parties to maintain good faith negotiations and avoid escalation.
U.S. President Trump arrived in Geneva shortly after Carney, with other leaders from Brazil, Egypt, India, Kenya, South Korea, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates also participating in the summit. While no official meeting between Carney and Trump was confirmed, Canada-U.S. Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer planned discussions on the sidelines.
Carney faced criticism at home from Conservative MP Shavaly Majumdar, who argued that the Canadian delegation’s efforts abroad had yet to secure new trade agreements beneficial to key industries such as steel, aluminum, forestry, and automotive sectors.
On Tuesday, Carney’s agenda includes meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. He will also participate in discussions focusing on Ukraine, the Middle East, and international development, alongside cultural and diplomatic events.
The summit, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron in his final year in office, centers on addressing global economic imbalances. Participants include the seven G7 members—Canada, France, the United States, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and Italy—alongside representatives from the European Union.