PM meeting with Prime Minister Carney of Canada: 16 September 2026
UK Prime Minister met Canadian counterpart Mark Carney to discuss defence, trade, and AI, while attending an Everton football match together.
The Prime Minister and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met this evening, followed by attendance at an Everton football match. The leaders opened discussions by highlighting the strong existing ties between the UK and Canada, while stressing the need to develop similar relationships with European partners, particularly in trade and defence. They also addressed the evolving role of artificial intelligence, agreeing on the necessity of collaboration between governments and the tech sector to address shared challenges and safeguard online safety.
During the meeting, the Prime Minister welcomed Canada’s recent designation as the first observer nation in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) this summer. The leaders explored ways to deepen defence cooperation, including through the Multilateral Defence Mechanism and the Defence Security Resilience Bank, which aim to enhance collective security and resilience.
The discussions also covered the opportunities and risks presented by artificial intelligence, with both leaders acknowledging the importance of coordinated action. They emphasised the need for governments and technology companies to work together to mitigate risks and protect users, particularly in areas such as online safety and ethical deployment.
The leaders concluded by expressing their intention to continue the dialogue in the near future, reflecting the ongoing commitment to strengthen bilateral relations and address shared priorities across defence, trade, and technology.