Claiming Canada was “blatantly interfering” with its internal affairs, Saudi Arabia has suspended diplomatic and economic ties with Canada. Canada has been vocally critical of Saudi treatment of jailed women’s rights activists in the country, and the Saudi response reflects the new Saudi diplomatic direction under the Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Under the new crown prince in the past year, Saudi Arabia has pursued a more aggressive diplomatic strategy compared to the quiet and slow exertion of economic influence that characterized its previous diplomatic dealings. Recently, the country has taken more drastic foreign policy actions, including the cutting of ties with Qatar, recalling its ambassador and restricting some trade deals with Germany, as well as other more aggressive covert actions that it has denied, like the forced resignation of the Lebanese Prime Minister.
Source: Saudi Arabia Suspends Ties With Canada Over Activist Row – Bloomberg