Saskatchewan premier says there’s room to make better use of trade deal with Europe

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has locked in a new commitment with the Czech Republic, signalling a strategic provincial push to intensify trade with Europe and fully exploit the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA). The Memorandum of Understanding, signed on June 12 during Moe's ongoing European trade mission, specifically targets collaboration in energy, innovation, and nuclear fuel, including uranium supply, underscoring Saskatchewan's ambition to position itself as a critical global supplier. The move comes as global demand for energy and critical minerals escalates, prompting nations to seek stable and secure supply chains amid geopolitical volatility. Saskatchewan has already seen its exports to the EU surge by nearly 138 percent between 2021 and 2025, reaching $3.8 billion, yet Premier Moe contends CETA remains 'underused'. This mission, including a stop at Eurosatory 2026 in Paris, is designed to integrate Saskatchewan's robust mining, agriculture, and burgeoning defense manufacturing sectors deeper into European markets, with an eye on capitalizing on increased global defense spending. As Moe concludes his multi-country tour, which also includes Belgium, France, and Poland, the province anticipates further agreements aimed at bolstering its energy and agricultural exports. Looking ahead, the planned expansion of Manitoba's Port of Churchill is poised to become a vital artery, offering Saskatchewan industries a more direct route to high-value European markets, potentially reshaping trade corridors and cementing the province's role in global supply security.