Canada pushes full-stack tech exports to compete globally
Export Development Canada (EDC) is accelerating its efforts to rival the U.S. and Europe by offering complete technology packages to international clients. The agency is combining hardware, software, and services—especially in artificial intelligence infrastructure and critical minerals—to create unified solutions, a tactic already adopted by competitors. This shift reflects a deliberate move to match the strategies of European and Asian governments, which have long backed their domestic tech companies in global markets.
Alison Nankivell, CEO of EDC, acknowledged that the agency must improve its approach after observing how others have succeeded. The agency is partnering with Global Affairs Canada’s new Strategic Exports Office to coordinate this initiative. It is also working with national trade credit agencies to identify opportunities where Canadian and foreign companies can collaborate on joint offerings.
The focus lies on sectors where Canada excels but lacks scale, including AI data centers, critical minerals processing, and space systems. EDC has outlined a potential Canadian AI stack that could feature generative models from Cohere, legal tools from Clio, hardware from Tenstorrent, and cloud services from Denvr. The agency has also invested directly in firms such as Cohere, Waabi, and Spark Microsystems to strengthen its market position.
One persistent challenge is Canada’s absence in specialized AI chip production, a market dominated by Nvidia. Despite this gap, EDC believes demand exists for its partial solutions. In recent outreach efforts, agency representatives presented Canadian AI capabilities to executives from Tata Group and EdgeConneX, both planning significant data center expansions in India. Meanwhile, EDC is monitoring Europe’s €20 billion plan to expand computing capacity, where Canadian firms could participate in consortia for AI manufacturing hubs.
Canada counters U.S. tariffs with tech trade deals
This initiative follows Ottawa’s push to diversify trade amid rising tariffs and geopolitical tensions. EDC has already formed non-binding agreements with Nokia and Ericsson, two European firms with substantial research and development operations in Canada. These partnerships suggest EDC could use its financing influence to help foreign buyers integrate Canadian technology into their projects.
The U.S. has taken a more aggressive stance. In July 2025, former President Donald Trump launched the American AI Exports Program, which provides financing, marketing support, and expedited approvals for consortia selling complete U.S. technology packages. The Commerce Department received 78 proposals from private-sector groups, some involving Canadian firms. While the program emphasizes American leadership, it shows Washington’s determination to protect its technological advantage.
Canada’s strategy remains under development. EDC’s Freire stated the agency is refining its tools to finance deals once Canadian tech packages are finalized. The approach extends beyond AI to include critical minerals, defence, and space sectors. Nankivell emphasized the importance of selecting sectors where Canada can compete with a strong supplier base.
Critical minerals push secures EV supply chain dominance
EDC’s expanded role in assembling technology packages now includes critical minerals, where Canada’s reserves of lithium and cobalt provide a strategic advantage. The agency collaborates with mining firms and processors to create full solutions for foreign buyers, encompassing battery-grade material refinement and recycling systems. These packages may include financing to mitigate project risks. The aim is to position Canada as a single-source provider for electric vehicle and renewable energy supply chains, where global demand is rising sharply.
In the space sector, EDC is targeting opportunities in satellite manufacturing, ground stations, and launch services. The agency explores combining these capabilities with international partners—such as European aerospace firms or U.S. defense contractors, to compete for large contracts. For example, Canada’s expertise in satellite communications could be paired with European infrastructure to pursue global defense or disaster-response projects. EDC has also observed growing interest from Middle Eastern governments in space-based data services, where Canadian firms could offer integrated solutions.
To facilitate these efforts, EDC is developing financing tools that reduce barriers for foreign buyers. The agency is designing structured deals incorporating technology, credit insurance, and political risk coverage, simplifying adoption of Canadian solutions. For instance, in critical minerals, EDC could provide long-term financing for an end-to-end supply chain, covering extraction, processing, and recycling. This mirrors how European and Asian governments have used state-backed financing to secure overseas infrastructure contracts.
EDC has not disclosed specific targets for the number of bundled deals expected in the coming years. The strategy leverages existing relationships while expanding into high-growth sectors where Canada’s expertise is in demand. The first major test will occur within the next 12 months as EDC finalizes financing structures and begins pitching its first full-stack packages to international buyers.
U.S. arms AI deals with Gulf States
The U.S. government has accelerated efforts to secure its position in the AI sector by securing trade agreements with key partners. In March 2025, the Trump administration approved the sale of advanced semiconductor technology to the United Arab Emirates after the country pledged a decade-long investment commitment in the U.S. economy. This followed a partnership announced between OpenAI and G42, an Emirati AI company, to build a massive data center in the UAE.
Similar agreements were reached with Saudi Arabia in late 2025, where the kingdom matched the investment pledge to U.S.-based projects. These deals were part of broader efforts to integrate AI infrastructure into Gulf State economies while reinforcing U.S. dominance in the sector. The administration’s focus on full-stack AI solutions, spanning hardware, data platforms, and applications, has drawn proposals from private industry groups seeking government support for global sales.
