Canada-Portugal relations

On this page

• Bilateral relations
• Trade relations
• Partnerships and organizations
• Canada-Portugal fact sheet

Bilateral relations

Diplomatic relations between Canada and Portugal were established in 1952 but there is a long history of interactions extending back to the early days of the Portuguese voyages of discovery in the 1500s. People-to-people links have grown stronger over time and today, these ties between Canada and Portugal are underpinned by a vibrant Canadian community of Portuguese origin estimated at more than 480,000 people. In Portugal, Canada is represented at an embassy in Lisbon. Portugal maintains an embassy in Ottawa.

Trade relations

Bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Portugal amounted to nearly $1.017 billion in 2018. Canada’s merchandise exports to Portugal were valued at $382 million. Oilseeds, aircraft and parts, cereals; and leguminous vegetables, were among the leading exports. Imports from Portugal were $635 million, with beverages (mainly wine), apparel, organic chemicals, footwear, furniture, electronics and electrical machinery and equipment among the leading merchandise imports.

Related links

• Trade and investment agreements
• Import / Export controls
• Doing business in Portugal

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Portugal work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• International Criminal Court (ICC)
• North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
• Open Government Partnership (OGP)
• Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)
• Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE)
• Pacific Alliance
• United Nations (UN)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)