Minister Champagne Concludes Washington Meetings Advancing Canada Strategic Interests
Summary
Finance Minister Champagne concluded meetings in Washington D.C. with G7 and G20 Finance Ministers, IMF, and World Bank counterparts. As co-chair of the Group of Creditors of Ukraine, he signed an MoU on Ukraine debt service suspension. Bilateral meetings included discussion of AI technologies with U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent and new trade and investment partnerships with allied nations.
What changed
Finance Minister Champagne completed a series of international meetings in Washington D.C., participating in G7 and G20 Finance Ministers gatherings alongside IMF and World Bank Spring Meetings. As co-chair of the Group of Creditors of Ukraine, he signed an MoU on Ukraine debt service suspension with counterparts from France and Ukraine, alongside separate guarantees with the World Bank and EBRD totaling US$1.1 billion and EUR200 million for Ukraine lending.
For Canadian businesses and investors, the meetings signal Canada's continued commitment to multilateral economic cooperation and diversification of trade relationships. Discussions with U.S. Treasury Secretary Bessent included AI technologies and trade impacts, indicating ongoing attention to advanced technology effects on strategic sectors. The government also engaged business leaders to attract new investments to Canada as part of trade diversification efforts.
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Apr 18, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Minister Champagne concludes international meetings in Washington, advancing Canada’s strategic interests
From: Department of Finance Canada
News release
Amid growing global division and uncertainty, Canada is forging a stronger, more independent, and resilient economy by engaging strategically with international partners all while advancing a strong economic plan at home.
April 17, 2026 - Washington, District of Columbia - Department of Finance Canada
Amid growing global division and uncertainty, Canada is forging a stronger, more independent, and resilient economy by engaging strategically with international partners all while advancing a strong economic plan at home.
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue, today completed a productive trip to Washington, D.C., where he participated in meetings of G7 and G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, as well as the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank Group.
Minister Champagne had constructive discussions with other leaders on a pragmatic and collaborative response to promote global macroeconomic and financial stability in the face of geopolitical tensions, including the conflict in the Middle East and Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine.
As one of the co-chairs of the Group of Creditors of Ukraine (GCU), the Minister, alongside Roland Lescure, France’s Minister of Finance, and Sergii Marchenko, Ukraine’s Minister of Finance, signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Debt Service Suspension of Ukraine, initiating the first phase of the financing assurances provided by creditors. They also reaffirmed their unwavering support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
The Minister also signed an MoU with World Bank President Ajay Banga on a forthcoming U S$1 bill ion guarantee to support lending to Ukraine and a Statement of Intent with European Bank for Reconstruction and Development President Odile Renaud-Basso on a forthcoming E UR200 milli on guarantee to support lending to Ukraine’s energy sector.
On the margins of the Spring Meetings, the Minister met bilaterally with several partners and allies to discuss pressing economic issues amid the current global uncertainty, including counterparts from Belgium, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Norway, Qatar, Singapore, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom. Notably, he also met with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent where they discussed trade and the impact of advanced AI technologies such as Anthropic’s Mythos model on strategic sectors.
During his visit, Minister Champagne also met with business leaders to develop strategic partnerships and attract new investments to Canada as part of the federal government’s efforts to diversify our trade relationships.
Quotes
“Canada is moving with ambition to diversify trade and build the strongest economy in the G7. By deepening our strategic partnerships and securing new trade avenues, we are ensuring our economy remains stable in a volatile world. These meetings were about delivering multilateral solutions to global challenges with our allies and creating opportunities for Canadians.”
- The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance and National Revenue
Quick facts
- The G20 is the primary forum for international economic cooperation among the world’s leading developed and emerging economies.
- The next meeting of the G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors will take place in Asheville, North Carolina, from August 31 to September 1, 2026.
- The Annual and Spring Meetings of the IMF and World Bank each year bring together central bankers, ministers of finance and development, private sector executives, civil society representatives, and academics to discuss the state of the global economy and issues of international concern.
Associated links
- Canada and the G7
- Canada and the G20
- Canada and the International Monetary Fund
- Canada and the World Bank
- Prime Minister Carney announces new support for a just and lasting peace in Ukraine
Contacts
Media may contact:
John Fragos
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Finance and National Revenue
john.fragos@fin.gc.ca
Media Relations
Department of Finance Canada
mediare@fin.gc.ca
613-369-4000
General enquiries
Phone: 1-833-712-2292
TTY: 613-369-3230
E-mail: financepublic-financepublique@fin.gc.ca
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2026-04-17
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