Prime Minister Mark Carney has expressed Canada’s readiness to assist in restoring shipping activities in the Strait of Hormuz following the recent breakthrough in discussions between Iran and the U.S. Carney made these remarks upon his arrival in France for the G7 summit, which coincided with President Donald Trump’s announcement of a resolution to end the U.S.-Iran conflict.
Trump revealed the agreement on Sunday, stating the authorization to lift the U.S. blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, originally imposed in response to Iran’s blockage of oil tankers and container ships in the crucial trade route. While the strait is set to reopen officially on Friday upon the signing of the deal, Carney emphasized the importance of assessing how Canada and other nations can support the reported agreement during the G7 discussions.
During a press briefing in Ireland before heading to Geneva, Carney underscored Canada’s positive reception of the recent developments and highlighted the necessity of enhancing commodity systems’ resilience to mitigate the impacts of conflicts in the Middle East. Moreover, Carney’s engagements included meetings with key leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron, Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dublin, and President Catherine Connolly in western Ireland, where he visited his grandparents’ ancestral village.
Upon his mid-afternoon arrival in Geneva, Carney proceeded to the summit location in Évian-les-Bains, where he was welcomed by various dignitaries. The prime minister is slated to engage in further discussions with European leaders and attend sessions focusing on geopolitical and economic matters. A joint statement issued by Carney and leaders of France, Germany, Italy, and the UK emphasized the opportunity to restore regional stability and the global economy through detailed negotiations and swift implementation of the agreement between the U.S. and Iran.
The statement underscored the importance of opening the Strait of Hormuz to shipping activities and reiterated the commitment to collaborative efforts aimed at ensuring regional peace and addressing Iran’s nuclear program. Carney stressed the need for continued dialogue and de-escalation among all parties involved in the negotiations. The G7 summit, hosted by Macron under the theme of addressing economic disparities, also featured discussions on artificial intelligence standards, online safety for children, and privacy legislation.
Security measures were heightened in Geneva, with a significant police presence deployed to ensure the safety of the summit. Various protests and demonstrations have taken place near the summit venue, highlighting concerns and advocacy on issues such as social media regulations and international cooperation on online safety standards. The G7, consisting of prominent nations and the European Union, continues to be a platform for addressing global challenges and fostering cooperation among member states.