‘One always has to be flexible’: Swedish king on strengthened ties between Canada and Sweden

As Sweden’s king and queen end their three-day state visit, Saab pitches a partnership with Montreal’s Bombardier while leading a delegation of 30 companies.

OTTAWA — As Canada and Sweden look to strengthen economic and security ties, Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf says the renewed partnership comes amid a changing world.

“If you think upon the situations in the world, it’s changed. It’s quite dramatic in the world,” Carl XVI Gustaf said on Wednesday in an exclusive interview with CTV National News Chief News Anchor Omar Sachedina, when asked about the timing of his state visit to Canada.

This week, Carl XVI Gustaf, along with his wife Queen Silvia, are in Canada for a state visit along with a delegation of around 30 Swedish companies, government agencies and other organizations. This is the royal couple’s third state visit to Canada, with previous ones happening in 1988 and 2006.

“Sweden is a small country with a small economy, and we are very dependent on the export market. So, we already have had a lot of contact in your country,” Carl XVI Gustaf said.

“There is already friendship and collaboration on many fields (between Canada and Sweden). Now, we’d like to work on this,” he added.

On Tuesday, Canada and Sweden signed a strategic partnership based on “common values and mutual interests.” According to a press release from the Prime Minister’s Office, the agreement will connect Canadian and Swedish industries and workers in sectors such as critical minerals, manufacturing, defence, innovation and climate.

The signed agreement comes after Industry Minister Melanie Joly visited Sweden in August, during which both countries agreed to accelerate efforts to strengthen relations.

Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Wednesday, Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and Swedish Deputy Prime Minister Ebba Busch said the signed partnership is now moving into action.

“When we partner up, it’s a deal you can believe in,” Busch said. “Then it’s truly a strong partnership.”

Sweden is also pitching Canada on purchasing Gripen fighter jets from Swedish manufacturing company Saab as the federal government continues to review its decision to buy dozens of U.S.-made F-35 fighter jets from Lockheed Martin.

‘Good base’ between Canada, Sweden: Carl XVI Gustaf

The visit, meanwhile, comes at a time when Prime Minister Mark Carney is looking to diversify Canada’s economic and strategic partnerships amid a trade war with the United States.

Asked by Sachedina on whether U.S. President Donald Trump is a factor in the move to strengthen ties, Carl XVI Gustaf said “not at the moment,” but added “one always has to be flexible.”

“(You have to be) flexible and see other possibilities, because there’s always a new possibility you can find somewhere to do business, and Sweden has always been the free-trade country since many years back,” he added.

Sweden, as a member of the European Union, is also impacted by Trump’s tariffs, facing a 15 per cent levy on most goods exported to the U.S.

When asked what is motivating further flexibility between Canada and Sweden, Carl XVI Gustaf pointed to commonalities between the two countries, saying there is a “good base” and a “good understanding” between them, while also extending his gratitude for Canada’s help in making Sweden a permanent North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance member.

“We’re very thankful for that … that makes a good partnership,” he added.

Sweden joined NATO as the 32nd member in 2024, with Canada being the first alliance member to ratify the membership.

Longest-reigning monarch in Swedish history

Having reigned since 1973, Carl XVI Gustaf is the longest-reigning monarch in Swedish history.

When asked by Sachedina about what has changed over the past 50 years, Carl XVI Gustaf described the world as “more dramatic,” but insisted that he is “an optimist.”

“We have many difficult things throughout the history. So of course, we will be back. That’s for sure, in one way or another,” he said.

Silvia, meanwhile, in the joint interview, reflected on her memories in Canada.

“We have been very often to Canada. We have not only been here on the state visits, three of them, but we have been here during the Olympic Games as well, in Calgary and Vancouver, which was wonderful,” adding that Canada is a “beautiful country.”

The state visit wraps up with a stop in Montreal on Thursday. While there, the Swedish delegation will make a stop at Bombardier’s facilities, aimed at highlighting the company’s desire to work with Saab on future production in the Canadian market.

According to the federal government, bilateral merchandise trade between Canada and Sweden has grown by 90 per cent from 2016 to 2024, reaching $4.9 billion, including $804 million in Canadian exports and $4.1 billion in imports.

Both countries also have nearly tariff-free trade with one another under the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).