The Polish Livethread: Carney meets with Tusk, elevating the strategic partnership, Defence show priorities
Happy Monday everyone! Welcome are back today with another dedicated livethread. I thought maybe this one would be a bit more relaxed, but the PM continues on his cross-European tour in Poland today, where things have been decidedly busy.
Same as always this thread will be updated as things come through. We will see if this is like yesterday where this is an all day thing, I dont think it is. I hope not, given I got a newsletter to do sometime today too!
Anyways, enough talk. Lets get into it!
Key Facts
Economic & Industrial Cooperation
Energy
Expand collaboration in critical minerals, LNG, hydrogen, offshore wind, nuclear (including Small Modular Reactors).
Launch bilateral energy ministries dialogue, incl. Poland’s second nuclear power plant.
Polish nuclear trade mission to Canada planned for Nov 2025.
Defence Industry
Strengthen joint defence production, procurement, and co-development, esp. in support of Ukraine.
Promote cooperation at CANSEC 2026 (Ottawa) and MSPO 2026 (Kielce, Poland).
Focus areas: radars, ISR, AI, vehicles, aviation, naval modernization, supply chain resilience, drones (incl. dual-use with Ukraine).
Aviation
Build on LOT’s 40 Airbus A220 order (Canadian-built) with deeper aerospace ties (advanced manufacturing, pilot training, simulation).
Joint work on Safer Skies Initiative (conflict zone flight safety).
Participation in iTEC/SkyNex air traffic management system.
Trade
Expand bilateral trade and investment, supported by CETA (Canada–EU free trade agreement).
Organize Polish business/trade/energy mission to Canada.
Since CETA 2017, Canada–Poland trade has doubled.
Security & Defence Cooperation
Strong united support for Ukraine (military training via NATO, equipment donations, sanctions enforcement).
Canada funding $20M Leopard 2A4 repair facility in Poland.
Cooperation on EU civilian security reform mission in Ukraine.
Joint efforts against shadow fleet vessels violating sanctions/environmental safety.
Capacity building via Cyber Mission Assurance workshops, support for Defensive Cyber Operations in Latvia.
Cooperation on digitalization & infrastructure protection.
Joint efforts against foreign information manipulation, esp. during elections.
Cooperation in G7 Rapid Response Mechanism.
Strengthened intelligence sharing, joint training, secure communications.
Continued joint operations in NATO Multinational Brigade Latvia.
Expanded military education, training, joint exercises
Work via EU/NATO programs, common procurements, Centres of Excellence (climate security, military police, counterintelligence).
Canadian support for Polish Armed Forces modernization.
Address hybrid threats (espionage, critical infrastructure targeting, malicious cyber activity, IP theft).
Deeper cooperation on migration, human trafficking, narcotics, smuggling of strategic goods and cultural property.
Implementation
Establish annual consultations between Canadian and Polish officials.
Create High-Level Steering Group on Bilateral Cooperation (co-chaired by foreign ministries, includes multiple departments).
Will oversee deliverables, report annually to ministers and heads of government.
Potential future MoUs on specific areas of cooperation.
Canada strengthens partnership with Poland in trade, defence, and energy
Canada’s new government has a mandate to diversify and strengthen international partnerships. To that end, we are taking historic steps to deepen Canada’s relationship with European Allies.
Today, the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, and the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, announced they will strengthen the Canada-Poland strategic partnership. The enhanced partnership will deepen ties across trade, defence, and energy security – investing in key sectors, such as clean energy, including nuclear, critical minerals, defence, aviation, cybersecurity, and advanced technologies.
Canada will be the Lead Nation of the 2026 International Defence Industry Exhibition in Kielce, Poland. This exhibition will promote Canadian innovation in defence and security technologies to international partners, attract further investment to our businesses, and help export Canadian solutions to international markets.
In Warsaw, Prime Minister Carney also met with the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki. The leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional security and welcomed ongoing co-operation on defence, including through NATO. They discussed further co-operation to deliver greater stability, security, and prosperity for Ukraine and the rest of Europe. The Prime Minister also met with business leaders from various sectors, focusing on trade diversification with Poland and new investment opportunities in defence.
During his time in Poland, the Prime Minister thanked members of the Canadian Armed Forces for their dedication and sacrifice in helping Ukraine defend itself against Russian aggression.
Canada is deepening defence co-operation with our closest partners to strengthen collective security and build resilience. With Allies such as Poland, we are reinforcing NATO’s Eastern Flank, supporting Ukraine, and expanding the defence industrial base – with Canadian innovation, resources, and technology.
Quotes
“Canada’s new government is delivering on its mandate to strengthen and diversify international partnerships. The enhanced Canada-Poland strategic partnership will catalyze more European investment into Canada, create more demand for Canadian exports abroad, and reinforce Canada’s defence presence in Europe for greater security, stability, and prosperity.”
The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada
“For over 100 years, Canada and Poland have worked together to defend our shared security. As we move forward to strengthen defence and security in Europe, Canada and Poland will work together to build up our industries, support our militaries, and defend our strong transatlantic alliance.”
The Hon. David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence
Quick facts
During his visit to Poland, Prime Minister Carney was accompanied by the Minister of National Defence, David J. McGuinty.
While in Warsaw, the Prime Minister welcomed the announcement by L3Harris Technologies Canada, a leader in advanced defence and aerospace technology, of a new production facility based in Katowice, Poland. The facility will manufacture advanced WESCAM EO/IR systems to support Poland, Ukraine, and other partners in the region, generate over $250 million in economic benefits for Canada, and support over 1,200 Canadian jobs.
Poland is one of the fastest-growing economies in the European Union and Canada’s largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe.
Since 2015, Canada has trained over 45,000 members of the Security Forces of Ukraine through Operation UNIFIER.
The International Defence Industry Exhibition, held annually in Kielce, Poland, is one of the largest defence and security trade shows in Europe. This year’s edition, taking place in September, will be the largest to date, with an anticipated 30,000 visitors, over 700 exhibitors, and over 60 delegations across 39 countries.
As part of the renewed strategic partnership, Canada and Poland will hold annual bilateral dialogues between senior government officials to set strategic priorities and co-ordinate joint efforts.
Joint statement on enhancing the Canada-Poland strategic partnership
The Prime Minister of Canada Mark Carney and the Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk met today in Warsaw to reaffirm the close and enduring friendship between their two nations and to announce a renewed long-term strategic partnership that will guide and deepen bilateral cooperation in the years ahead.
The enduring bond between Canada and Poland is strengthened by dynamic economic ties and vibrant people-to-people connections, underpinned by the nearly one million-strong Polish-Canadian community which plays a vital role in enriching both societies.
Over more than 80 years of diplomatic relations, Canada and Poland have built a resilient and forward-looking partnership rooted in mutual interests: a rules-based international order anchored in the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity; a fair, open, and predictable global trading system; and a robust transatlantic security architecture based on the principle of collective security that defends peace, stability, and human rights.
Together, Canada and Poland stand united, guided by history, strengthened by shared values, and committed to shaping a more secure, prosperous and democratic future for generations to come.
A stronger economic partnership
Canada and Poland share a growing trade relationship that supports jobs and prosperity in both countries. To further diversify and strengthen economic ties, including in trade, investment and research and innovation, Canada and Poland will focus on the following sectors:
Energy: Support enhanced collaboration among industry leaders, academic institutions, and research organizations to strengthen energy security and a clean energy transition in both countries. Both governments will promote industrial partnerships in critical minerals, offshore wind, low-carbon hydrogen and liquefied natural gas (LNG), as well as enabling technologies such as energy storage solutions. Leveraging the Nuclear Cooperation Agreement signed in January 2025, they will foster new partnerships between their leading firms, utilities and nuclear safety authorities, and explore opportunities in emerging technologies like Small Modular Reactors. To support these efforts, Canada and Poland will launch a bilateral government-to-government dialogue between their respective energy ministries, including discussions on Poland’s second nuclear power plant. A Polish nuclear energy trade mission to Canada is planned for this November.
Defence: Encourage mutually beneficial strategic partnerships between our defence industries, including in support of Ukraine’s defence and recovery. This will be facilitated by respective commitments to increase defence spending and by leveraging the Canada-EU Security & Defence Partnership and Canadian collaboration through the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) mechanism. Both governments will promote significant industrial participation at major industrial trade events, such as CANSEC 2026 (May 2026, Ottawa, Canada) and the 34th International Defence Industry Exhibition (MSPO) (September 2026, Kielce, Poland) where Canada will be lead Nation. They will explore options to conduct joint procurements, including under SAFE-enabled EU common procurement, and facilitate business-to-business connections in support of expanding defence industrial integration. Both countries will also explore options for co-development and co-sustainment, including through EU and NATO mechanisms. Cooperation will cover advanced technological domains in areas such as radars, communications, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance technologies, and artificial intelligence. Both sides will support technology transfer and stronger supply chains by facilitating the participation of Polish and Canadian companies in production and delivery programmes, with due regard for intellectual property protection and product certification. In parallel, experience will be exchanged in the modernization of vehicles, aviation and naval forces. Enhancing resilience of supply chains will remain a priority, with efforts directed towards diversification of sources, building strategic reserves and securing critical infrastructure against cyber threats. Both governments will also explore the development of dual-use technologies, including cooperation with Ukraine on drone platforms with both logistics and defence applications.
Aviation: Building on the momentum of LOT Polish Airlines’ purchase of 40 Airbus A220 aircraft manufactured in Mirabel, Quebec, with increasing Polish content, identify partnership opportunities to further strengthen industrial ties and drive innovation across the broader aerospace ecosystem, particularly in advanced manufacturing, pilot training and simulation technologies. The Government of Canada will work with Polish counterparts to support the Safer Skies Initiative regarding risk assessments for civil aviation flying over or near conflict zones. This will present further opportunities to develop assessment and mitigation capabilities and capacity and make skies safer across the world. Canada and Poland, alongside six other countries in the iTEC Alliance (Interoperability Through European Collaboration), are jointly advancing the iTEC/SkyNex air traffic management system, an innovative solution that enhances flight efficiency, strengthens safety, and enables seamless trajectory coordination across continents.
Trade-related cooperation: Boost bilateral trade and investment to create new opportunities for economic cooperation. With the purpose of fostering greater commercial engagement between our businesses, Canada and Poland will collaborate on a high-level business, trade, and energy mission of Polish companies to Canada. Canada and Poland’s commercial relationship is underpinned by the Canada–European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). Since provisional application of CETA began in 2017, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Poland has more than doubled, leading to increased economic growth and job creation in both countries. Both governments will work to realize the full benefits of CETA.
Enhanced security and defence cooperation
Canada and Poland share a dynamic and strategically important defence partnership, rooted in shared commitments to NATO and transatlantic security. Both countries are resolute and united in their support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal and unjustifiable war of aggression. Canadian and Polish mutual dedication to collective defence, and the security of Europe is built on a proud history, from Camp Kosciuszko in 1917 to Canada’s pivotal support for Polish forces during the Second World War. This history remains more relevant than ever as we face credible threats to our shared security.
Building on the momentum established via the Action Plan for Bilateral Defence Cooperation signed in August 2025 and the Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Poland and the Government of Canada on the Protection of Classified Information signed in January 2025, Canada and Poland will expand their cooperation through the following joint initiatives:
Ukraine: Reaffirm our unwavering support for Ukraine’s self-defence against Russia’s unprovoked aggression, including training the Security Forces of Ukraine through NATO’s Security Assistance and Training to Ukraine (NSATU) initiative. Both countries will collaborate on the Ukraine Defense Contact Group (UDCG) Armour Capability Coalition and facilitate donations via the Logistic Enabling Node in Poland. Poland welcomes Canada’s recently announced $20 million contribution to the Leopard 2A4 Repair Facility in Gliwice, Poland. Canada and Poland will also work together to maintain and intensify economic pressure on Russia and enhance bilateral cooperation and exchange of information on sanctions. They will also continue to support Ukraine civilian society, including by exploring participation to the European Union Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform Ukraine.
Maritime Security: Intensify efforts to counter illegal, unsafe, or environmentally perilous maritime activities conducted by shadow fleet vessels, including through Poland’s potential participation in the Shadow Fleet Task Force established by G7 Foreign Ministers in March 2025.
Cybersecurity: Enhance measures to strengthen cybersecurity and promote high standards that protect consumers, businesses, and infrastructure. Recognizing the importance of digitalization of economic and social development, Canada and Poland will strengthen bilateral cooperation in that area. This includes joint capacity-building through Cyber Mission Assurance and Threat Analysis workshops, as well as support for Defensive Cyber Operations in Latvia. In the military domain, Canada and Poland will strive to strengthen cooperation aimed at joint capacity building. Both countries will continue their efforts in pursuit of reinforcing Cyber Mission Assurance and support for Defensive Cyber Operations in Latvia.
Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference: Both countries will continue to strengthen their cooperation and exchange best practices in countering Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference, with particular emphasis on technical detection, strategic communication, and election monitoring. This collaboration will also encompass joint capacity-building efforts, including through Poland’s participation in G7 Rapid Response Mechanism initiatives, thereby contributing to greater resilience of our democratic societies.
Intelligence: Expand the productive collaboration between their security and intelligence organizations through enhanced intelligence sharing, joint training exchanges, improved secure bilateral communications, and regular analytical and expert-level engagements.
Military Cooperation: Increase strategic-level engagement through expanded cooperation in operations, including continued cooperation in the NATO Multinational Brigade in Latvia. Both countries will explore new opportunities for exchanges in military education, training, and joint exercises.
Interoperability: Enhance interoperability through EU and NATO programs and institutions, including by considering common procurements and leveraging their respective Centers of Excellence for Climate Change and Security, Military Police, and Counterintelligence. Canada will also explore ways to support the Polish Armed Forces’ modernization efforts, including the Reserve and Territorial Defence Forces and the Polish Non-Commissioned Officer corps. Canada and Poland will also work toward enhancing their interoperability through joint participation in European Union’s Permanent Structured Cooperation projects.
Evolving Security Threats: Explore new cooperation opportunities to enhance awareness of threats and risks to the human domain and counter the hybrid threats that undermine the national security of Canada and Poland and that of their NATO Allies, including espionage, targeting of critical infrastructure, foreign interference, information manipulation, malicious cyber activity, and targeting of intellectual property critical to economic prosperity.
Border Security: Increase dialogue on common migration policy themes, and strengthen cooperation to combat cross-border, transnational, and organized crime involving the illicit movement of goods and individuals. Key efforts will include enhanced information exchange, sharing of expertise, increased engagement through multilateral fora, and exploration of new mechanisms for collaboration. Areas of focus will include illicit and instrumentalized migration, such as human smuggling and trafficking, as well as the smuggling of narcotics, precursor chemicals, cultural property, and strategic goods.
To operationalize this enhanced strategic partnership, Canada and Poland will initiate annual bilateral consultations between government officials. A High-Level Steering Group on Bilateral Cooperation will be established at senior official level, with participation from relevant departments and ministries. This group, co-chaired by the foreign ministries and comprising key ministries from both countries, will oversee the implementation of mutually determined deliverables and report progress annually to their ministers and to both Heads of Government. Bilateral cooperation may also result in the signing of respective memoranda of understanding in the future.
Noah Note: There is a LOT here. I feel like a kid in a candy store. I would argue that this is fsr more substantial than ehat we got yesterday, and almost all the major points I would want are addressed here.
We had a rush of agreements signed earlier this year with Poland, including in nuclear cooperation back in January and a General Security of Information Agreement.
One of my big concerns, always, is building off these baseline agreements. Oftentimes the process is slow, drags on, and forgotten. That isnt the case here.
I am big on nuclear, as many of you know. I am also big on LNG. I wish we got more there, but a high-level nuclear trade mission, bilateral dialog, and mention of Polands second reactor all make me very giddy.
The nuclear market is crowded. Competition is fierce. However Canada has the supply chains, the expertise, and history to really leverage ourselves more than others.
Countries like South Korea can not offer the ‘ground-to-reactor’ caoabilities that we can, and when combined with an intermediate energy source like LNG you have an opportunity to present quite the package to countries like Poland, offering both a near immediate (if we had the infastructure…), short to medium term energy solution as you work to build nuclear capability.
I am very happy with how this government is leveraging nuclear as an export tool, and as a tool for economic diplomacy.
We also have a host of defence discussion, covering just about everything. That includes s9me big surprises.
Very rarely so we have defence shows discussed, and very rarely do we see them used as an avenue of cooperation. Canada will take the lead at next year's MSPO show and it sounds like Polish companies will finally be taking the leap and participating in CANSEC.
It might seem minor but these kinds of shows are very important to building partnership and meeting with officials, not just ours, or Polish ones. The more opportunities we present, especially with Canada taking a leading role at MSPO, the more opportunity industry has to present itself.
It is a very curious but also very welcoming move I never considered. We also have a defence roadshow with South Korea in October. That is a concept I would also love to see leveraged more.
Support for Ukraine is here, increased intelligence sharing is discussed, expansion of joint-exercises and training opportunities, even a mention of cooperation on Shadow Fleet monitoring. It feels like just about every topic got a mention.
That isnt always a good thing, especially token announcements for the sake of it. You get a bit of that here, a promise to explore or work together with no stated goals. I like goals, and seeing them. I can appreciate mentions, and opening up the discussion to these topics but I also can't help but feel they take up the page sometimes.
These kinds of meetings are important. You do have to start somewhere. You can't always expect major announcements or such just based off of these singular meetings.
So it is a minor thing for me, very minor. It certianly isnt a fault.
We also got a lot of mentions of interoperability, joint procurement, and EU funding programs. Once again we see it creep up. Its easy to forget how much discussion since March was based off of these EU programs, getting in and involved and the opportunities they bring.
Since the Canada-EU summit though that front has been a bit quiet, and I do often get questions on it. Its best to remember that we aren't fully in yet. There are still agreements to be signed.
However keep note of the countries we are discussing these things with. These programs, such as SAFE, are designed for cooperative purchases and developments. That means, before anything that we need partners available to work with.
We don't discuss this system with everyone. We dont always make it a priority. That makes it even more interesting when we do have the government speaking about these opportunities and potential with European partners. It gives us a glimpse at ideas, and who we are looking to work with.
In this case Poland uses just about a bit of everything, and you should never predict equipment purchases based solely off this and what a Poland is using. However it does open up the discussion to what potentials are there.
Something to think of I guess, at least for me. I am ever curious and so these kinds of little signs always peak my interest to investigate. Its the lovable quality of mine you're all here for.
The creeation of a High-Level Steering Group on Bilateral Cooperation and annual consultations between officials is the nice cherry on top for me. I love hearing about these kinds of future efforts, be they Steering groups, 2+2 meetings or trade missions.
These kinds of set ups for future discussions and follow-ups are important. Its one area I was sad we didnt see in the recent Nordic trip. We didnt really get thay follow-up.
We do get that here, and I am happy for that.
Prime Minister Carney meets with Prime Minister of Poland Donald Tusk
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the Prime Minister of Poland, Donald Tusk, in Warsaw, Poland.
The prime ministers affirmed the strong bilateral relationship between Canada and Poland and discussed enhancing collaboration in defence, energy, and aerospace.
Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Tusk underscored their shared commitment to supporting regional security on NATO’s Eastern Flank.
The leaders reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion and welcomed the United States’ openness to providing security guarantees to support long-term peace and security for Ukraine and Europe. The leaders emphasized the need for robust and credible security guarantees and for continued pressure on Russia. Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Tusk underscored that no decisions about Ukraine should be made without Ukraine, and no decisions about Europe without Europe.
They agreed to remain in close and regular contact.
Prime Minister Carney meets with President of Poland Karol Nawrocki
Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, met with the President of Poland, Karol Nawrocki, in Warsaw, Poland.
The Prime Minister and the President discussed the strong relationship between Canada and Poland, enriched by the nearly one million Canadians of Polish heritage.
Prime Minister Carney and President Nawrocki discussed their countries’ efforts to deepen trade, defence, and security ties through the enhanced Canada-Poland strategic partnership, announced earlier today in Warsaw. The leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to regional security and welcomed ongoing co-operation on defence, including through NATO.
The leaders reiterated their ongoing support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s invasion and welcomed the United States’ openness to providing security guarantees that would help support long-term peace and security for Ukraine and Europe.
They agreed to remain in contact.
Thanks for putting thia together. Things that make you go "humm." Tons of joint allied procurement possibilities. Eagerly awaiting some analysis from the group on some of the "what ifs."