Saudi Arabia freezes trade ties with Canada

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will freeze all new trade and investment with Canada over its interference in the Kingdom's internal affairs, it said in a statement.

The Kingdom recalled its ambassador to Ottawa and ordered the Canadian envoy to Riyadh to leave within 24 hours.

Saudi Arabia condemns Canada's interference in its internal affairs and rejects false accusations over legal measures taken against certain individuals.

— CIC Saudi Arabia (@CICSaudi) August 5, 2018

The ministry cited remarks made by Canada's Foreign Minister Chrystia Freeland and the Canadian embassy in Riyadh last week, criticizing the Kingdom's detention of the civil society activists, urging "Saudi authorities to release them immediately."

"Throughout its long history, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has never accepted any interference in its domestic affairs by, or orders from any country. The Kingdom views the Canadian position as an affront to the Kingdom that requires a sharp response to prevent any party from attempting to meddle with Saudi sovereignty,” the statement stated.

The ministry said Canada’s statement was not based on any “accurate or true” information.

"The persons referred to were lawfully detained by the Public Prosecution for committing crimes punishable by applicable law, which also guaranteed the detainees’ rights and provided them with due process during the investigation and trial," it added.

Saudi Arabia confirmed its commitment to refrain from intervening in the internal matters of other countries, including Canada.

"Any further step from the Canadian side in that direction will be considered as acknowledgment of our right to interfere in the Canadian domestic affairs. Canada and all other nations need to know that they can’t claim to be more concerned than the Kingdom over its own citizens."

The Kingdom will also put on hold all new business and investment transactions with Canada while retaining its right to take further action, the statement added.

Saudi Arabia has invested about $6 billion in Canadian businesses since 2006, according to Bloomberg. The Kingdom's investments in Canada include G3 Global Holdings Ltd., a joint venture between Bunge Ltd. and Saudi Agricultural & Livestock Investment Co., which purchased the former Canadian Wheat Board in 2015.

#Statement | Throughout its long history, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has never accepted any interference in its domestic affairs by, or orders from any country. pic.twitter.com/sUrj7XIqTV

— Foreign Ministry 🇸🇦 (@KSAmofaEN) August 6, 2018