After Trump described Canada as ‘the 51st state’ of America, Keir Starmer defended the country as an ‘independent, sovereign nation’ and ‘a much-valued member of the Commonwealth’
Keir Starmer tonight defended Canada as an “independent, sovereign nation” after Donald Trump’s 51st state of America attacks.
As he jetted to Ottawa for key meetings with the country’s PM Mark Carney ahead of the G7 summit, Mr Starmer said Canada was also “a much-valued member of the Commonwealth”. Last year the US President referred to Mr Carney’s predecessor – Justin Trudeau – as “governor” and Canada as “the 51st state” of America. Asked whether he called out the threats, Mr Starmer told reporters: “Canada and the US are our allies. Canada is an independent, sovereign nation, and quite right, too.
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“And that’s the basis on which I’ve approached my discussions with all of our partners. I’m not going to get into the precise conversations I’ve had, but let me be absolutely clear: Canada is an independent, sovereign country and a much-valued member of the Commonwealth.”
He added: “And we work closely with Canada on any number of issues, whether that is defence and security – particularly the training in Ukraine, it’s been something where Canada and the U.K. have worked very closely together.” It comes as Mr Starmer looks set to hail Britain’s “proud status” as a free trading nation as he discusses boosting trade and security ties with Canada.
Two-year talks over a possible UK-Canada trade deal were suspended by ex-Tory PM Rishi Sunak’s government last year amid a row over beef and cheese imports. On Sunday, the PM will seek further economic ties between the two “like-minded countries”.
No10 said Mr Starmer will use the visit to argue the “UK must retain its proud status as a free and open trading nation” and reduce barriers to trade. It will be seen as a veiled swipe at the US President whose damaging tariffs regime sparked market mayhem across the globe earlier this year.
It also follows a hat-trick of trade deals struck by Mr Starmer in recent weeks, including with India, the European Union, and the US to mitigate the impacts of recent tariffs. The PM, who held a private dinner tonight with Mr Carney, became the first PM to visit Canada in over years, as he prepares to head to the G7 tomorrow.
But the conflict in the Middle East and fears of an all-out war risks overshadowing the summit – the first G7 meeting attended by Mr Starmer. Ahead of the visit, Mr Starmer said: “The interests of British citizens – delivering for working people – is what guides me throughout all my conversations with international leaders.
“And everywhere I go, from the factory floor at Jaguar Land Rover to meeting submariners aboard a nuclear-powered submarine, I’m reminded of why that is the right approach. Because the decisions we make in government, whether at home or abroad, have profound impacts on the day to day lives of working people.”
He added: “And in these dangerous times, I am determined to forge a unique path to secure and renew Britain in an era of global instability.”