In a development raising diplomatic eyebrows, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has voiced strong disapproval over Britain’s decision to extend a second state visit invitation to U.S. President Donald Trump. This move, Carney argues, undermines Canada’s efforts to present a unified stance against Trump’s controversial remarks about annexing Canada.
Since his inauguration in January, Trump has consistently floated the idea of Canada joining the United States as its 51st state, a notion that has sparked indignation north of the border. The proposal places the United Kingdom in a delicate position, balancing its historic ties with Canada and its diplomatic relations with the United States.
King Charles, as the head of state for both Britain and Canada, has made a series of symbolic gestures emphasizing his connection to Canada. These include wearing Canadian honors, planting a symbolic maple tree, and referring to himself as the “king of Canada.” Despite undergoing cancer treatment, Charles is scheduled to attend Canada’s state opening of parliament on May 27, marking the first visit of a British monarch to the event in Ottawa since 1977.
Prime Minister Carney, during a televised interview, expressed Canadians’ disappointment with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s decision to extend the invitation to Trump. This diplomatic gesture, made during Starmer’s February visit to Washington, was seen as poorly timed amidst ongoing concerns over Canadian sovereignty.
Carney, who rose to the prime ministership following a decisive electoral victory, emphasized that King Charles’s forthcoming visit to Canada was deliberately arranged to affirm national sovereignty in light of Trump’s statements.
Meanwhile, Starmer, aiming to bolster post-Brexit trade relations with the U.S., has been highlighting Britain’s security capabilities and committing to increased defense spending. Alongside, he has been leveraging the traditional grandeur associated with state visits to strengthen ties.
Trump, who has familial connections to Britain, has often expressed admiration for the British royal family. His administration recently concluded a limited bilateral trade agreement with the UK, further intertwining economic interests.
In response to Carney’s critique, British minister Pat McFadden remarked that each nation must navigate its international relationships according to its own strategic interests.
