**Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer met in Ottawa before going to the G7 Leaders’ Summit. / TWITTER PHOTO**

Canada and the United Kingdom will strengthen ties to “drive the relationship forward” by revisiting old trade irritants and looking for ways to grow the innovation economy together, said Rob Tinline, Britain’s envoy to Ottawa. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer agreed on June 15 to establish a working group focused on expanding their economic relationship and to tackle barriers to market access. A provisional trade deal between Canada and the U.K. remains in effect after talks for a permanent pact broke off in early 2024 due to a standstill caused by differences in regulation.