United Kingdom’s Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has affirmed Canada’s status as an independent, sovereign nation, in remarks widely interpreted as a pointed response to the U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly floated the idea of Canada becoming the 51st U.S. state.
Starmer made the comments ahead of a significant diplomatic visit to Canada, where he will be the first British prime minister in eight years to travel to the country. His itinerary includes meetings in Ottawa and participation in the G7 summit in Kananaskis.
The trip comes at a tense moment in U.S.-Canada relations. Trump’s continued assertions that Canada should be annexed into the United States claims he insists are not made in jest have strained ties with Ottawa. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, a former governor of the Bank of England, has firmly rejected Trump’s rhetoric, leading to a notable cooling in bilateral relations.
Sir Keir’s decision to meet Carney ahead of the summit signals a strong show of solidarity. The two leaders will hold a private dinner on Saturday evening, followed by formal discussions on Sunday morning.
Speaking before his departure, Starmer said; “Canada and the US are our allies. Canada is an independent, sovereign nation and quite right, too. That’s the basis on which I’ve approached my discussions with all of our partners.
“Let me be absolutely clear: Canada is an independent, sovereign country and a much-valued member of the Commonwealth.”
His message aligns with recent remarks by King Charles III, who addressed the Canadian Parliament last month and described Canada as strong and free a reference to the country’s national anthem, widely interpreted as an endorsement of Canadian autonomy.
In addition to diplomatic engagement, Starmer said the UK’s economic interests remain central to his international agenda. He emphasized the importance of deepening trade with Canada, stating:
“The interests of British citizens delivering for working people guide me in all my conversations with world leaders, From the factory floor at Jaguar Land Rover to the decks of a nuclear-powered submarine, I’m reminded that decisions taken abroad can have profound effects on life at home.”
Bilateral trade between the UK and Canada is currently valued at £28 billion annually. However, formal negotiations for a UK-Canada trade agreement were suspended in January 2024 due to disagreements, particularly over agricultural imports such as beef and cheese. The breakdown occurred under the previous Conservative government, with then Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch leading the talks.
While Downing Street has not indicated that Starmer will seek to revive the stalled talks, there is speculation that he may explore new trade opportunities. A No 10 spokesperson said the Prime Minister would prioritize strengthening the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), to which both nations belong.
This pragmatic approach stands in stark contrast to President Trump’s protectionist stance, which has included slapping tariffs on Canadian goods and claiming in March that “the only thing that makes sense is for Canada to become our cherished fifty-first state.”
Following his discussions in Ottawa, Starmer will travel to Kananaskis for the G7 summit, where he will join leaders from the United States, Japan, Germany, France, Italy, and host nation Canada.
The summit is expected to be dominated by escalating tensions in the Middle East, alongside the war in Ukraine and broader concerns over global economic stability.
While the list of Starmer’s bilateral meetings has not yet been confirmed, there is strong anticipation that he will meet President Trump. The Prime Minister has made a concerted effort to maintain a productive relationship with the U.S. administration.
Relations have been further complicated by Trump’s decision to review the Aukus defense pact an agreement involving the U.S., UK, and Australia on joint production of nuclear-powered submarines, seen as a strategic counterweight to China in the Indo-Pacific. The deal was originally unveiled by former U.S. President Joe Biden.
The G7 summit, which runs Monday and Tuesday, will also mark the first appearance by Germany’s new chancellor, Friedrich Merz.
A Downing Street spokesperson said Starmer’s visit reflects his determination to harness foreign policy in service of domestic priorities:
“The trip marks the Prime Minister’s determination to use his international agenda to deliver for people at home. In these dangerous times, we can carve a unique path to secure and renew Britain in an era of global instability.
