UK and Canada sign manufacturing pact to strengthen advanced technology collaboration
Aaron Blutstein 24 November 2025 
Make UK has signed a trade and partnership agreement with Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters (CME), establishing a framework aimed at expanding industrial cooperation and trade between the two countries.
The agreement, signed in Ottawa by Make UK Chief Executive Stephen Phipson and CME Chief Executive Dennis Darby, was witnessed by the UK’s High Commissioner to Canada, HE Rob Tinline, and Canada’s Minister of International Trade, The Hon. Maninder Sidhu.
The partnership builds on a joint statement issued by the countries’ prime ministers in June and targets increased bilateral activity in areas regarded as strategically critical to both economies. These include rare earth minerals, nuclear technology and artificial intelligence, alongside a specific emphasis on defence and security collaboration, where both nations host established industrial capabilities.
Beyond policy alignment, the organisations will cooperate on practical measures such as sharing information on science, technology and innovation, and promoting trade, investment and commercial exchanges among their member companies. Canada is currently the UK’s 16th-largest trading partner and 13th-largest export destination for goods, with bilateral trade worth £6.5bn annually.
Phipson commented: “This is a welcome agreement which reflects the longstanding and, historic, relations between the UK and Canada on trade and other areas of co-operation. Make UK and CME have developed a strong relationship over many years, supporting the efforts of UK and Canadian manufacturers to invest, create jobs and develop supply chain connectivity. Today’s agreement will now look to make the most of this historic connection through this industry partnership to boost ties between manufacturers in both countries and support the ambition of both governments to increase investment and collaboration in vitally important technologies.”
Darby added: “Canada and the United Kingdom have an opportunity to build one of the world’s most innovative and resilient industrial partnerships. Moving forward, we see real opportunities to deepen collaboration in advanced manufacturing, clean technology, and defence procurement. Canadian manufacturers are ready to lead alongside our UK partners, and we are eager for both governments to seize this moment for bold, forward-looking growth to support our sector.”
The agreement is positioned by both organisations as a platform to enhance supply chain resilience, drive technology development and support long-term industrial competitiveness across key engineering-led sectors.
