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British Prime Minister Keir Starmer declined to weigh in on U.S. President Donald Trump’s repeated calls to make Canada the 51st state. The comment was made during a joint press conference, where Trump cut off Starmer’s answer entirely.
Starmer was asked whether he or King Charles III was concerned about Trump’s rhetoric towards a Commonwealth member, specifically Canada, at the end of a visit to the White House that included multiple meetings on issues like trade and the war in Ukraine. The British leader said the topic of Canada did not come up during those talks and sought to highlight the historic friendship between the United Kingdom and the United States.
“I think you’re trying to find a divide between us that doesn’t exist,” Starmer said.
After continuing with his answer for a moment, Trump interrupted with “that’s enough, thank you” and called on another reporter.
Canada is a member of the British Commonwealth of former colonies. While King Charles is technically the head of state for those countries, they are free to make their own decisions as independent nations. In Canada, the King is represented by the Governor General who acts on the advice of the head of government, the prime minister.
The King and Canada’s allies in Europe have stayed silent while Trump repeatedly talks about the U.S. taking over Canada, at one point threatening “economic force” to do so. Canadian officials have sought to downplay Trump’s threats as unserious, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was heard telling a group of Canadian business and labour leaders earlier this month that Trump’s threat was “a real thing,” tied to his administration’s desire for access to Canada’s critical minerals.
Trump has threatened to impose steep tariffs on Canada and Mexico, citing what he says are large flows of fentanyl coming into the U.S. from those countries. The tariffs are set to come into effect on Tuesday after a 30-day pause, Trump confirmed this week.
Foreign Minister Melanie Joly told reporters after a trip to Europe earlier this month that many European leaders don’t fully grasp how the Trump administration is challenging Canada’s economy, when asked why few national leaders have spoken out against Trump’s threats against Canada.
Conclusion:
In the face of Trump’s repeated threats, Canada’s leaders have remained calm and composed, emphasizing the country’s independence and friendship with the United States. While some officials have sought to downplay the threats, others have spoken out against them, emphasizing the importance of respecting Canada’s sovereignty.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Q: What did Trump say about making Canada the 51st state?
A: Trump has repeatedly called for Canada to become the 51st state, citing the country’s close relationship with the United States.
Q: What did Starmer say about Trump’s comments?
A: Starmer declined to comment on Trump’s comments, saying that there is no divide between the United States and the United Kingdom.
Q: What is the British Commonwealth?
A: The British Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 53 countries, most of which were formerly part of the British Empire. Canada is a member of the Commonwealth.
Q: What is the role of the Governor General in Canada?
A: The Governor General is the representative of the British monarch in Canada, acting on the advice of the head of government, the prime minister.
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