The Taoiseach met with the Canadian prime minister yesterday as Ireland seeks to benefit from a massive drop in Canada/US trade in the wake of President Donald Trump’s tariffs, writes Craig Hughes.

Canada and Ireland have agreed to implement their part of a major EU trade agreement by the end of next year.

Micheál Martin met Mark Carney in the Canadian capital, Ottawa, yesterday, with the Taoiseach inviting Mr Carney to visit Ireland next year.

The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the trade agreement between the EU and Canada, has been provisionally in effect since 2017 with merchandise trade between Ireland and Canada almost doubling (98.5%) since then.

Mr Martin confirmed Ireland will ratify CETA in full by 2026, unlocking what he called “a new chapter” in transatlantic commerce.

The Taoiseach said Ireland intends to send a high-level trade delegation to Canada immediately after ratification to capitalise on fresh opportunities for businesses.

A ministerial-led trade mission will travel to Canada in November, with sector-specific visits focusing on energy, security and innovation to follow.

Both leaders also welcomed the publication of the Canada–Ireland Economic Impact Report, which details growing investment and trade links.

Mr Carney, a former governor of the Bank of England who played a key role during Brexit negotiations, said the agreement underscored Canada’s confidence in Ireland as a gateway to Europe, while also presenting Ireland with a platform for further investment in North America.

The pair emphasised a shared approach to global crises, pledged continued support for Ukraine and issued a joint call for renewed international focus on Israel/Palestine.

“The rules-based international order is under severe strain. Canada and Ireland are united in defending it,” they said in a joint statement.

Meanwhile, Mr Martin has said that getting offshore wind energy projects over the line will be “key” to Ireland being able to use artificial intelligence (AI).

The Taoiseach said offshore wind farms will “enable us to have some future in terms of AI, because AI will use an enormous amount of energy”.

The challenges in grid capacity have meant that new data centres are in direct competition with capacity for new housing but Mr Martin said offshore wind farms could give Ireland “self-reliance and independence in terms of energy”.

Photo: Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney. (Photo by Manuel Velasquez/Getty Images)