Carney takes swipe at Starmer over Trump state visit
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a pointed rebuke to the UK government for offering Donald Trump a second state visit, calling the move diplomatically disruptive. In a televised interview, Carney said Canadians 'weren’t impressed by that gesture' given the heightened tensions with Washington. The timing of the invite coincided with Trump’s provocative comments suggesting Canada should become the US’s ‘51st state.’ Carney noted, 'It cut across some of those messages' his government had been sending to the White House about sovereignty. His remarks underlined the deep discomfort felt in Ottawa over the UK's symbolic alignment with Trump during a fraught period.
Carney's comments followed a contentious meeting at the White House, where Trump doubled down on his remarks about a US-Canada merger. During that Oval Office exchange, Trump called the border an 'artificially drawn line' and described a union with Canada as a 'wonderful marriage.' In response, Carney visibly recoiled and replied, 'Canada is not for sale.' The episode was widely covered in Canadian media and stirred national debate. It became a flashpoint in the country’s broader effort to assert its independence on the global stage.
UK officials struck a more neutral tone in response to Carney’s criticism, framing it as an example of open discourse between allies. Cabinet minister Pat McFadden remarked: 'Prime Minister Carney is entitled to his view.' He acknowledged that both the US and Canada are vital partners, saying, 'Our relationship and friendship with Canada is really important too.' British leaders appeared eager to smooth tensions without retracting the invitation to Trump. Their statements reflected a desire to maintain balance amid competing international interests.
McFadden also defended the state visit by emphasizing recent economic gains made under Trump’s administration. 'I'm particularly glad that we've conducted a trade deal that saves thousands of automotive jobs in this country,' he said. The agreement included reduced tariffs on UK car exports and revised levies on steel and aluminium. While controversial, the trade deal was presented as a victory for British workers and a foundation for future economic collaboration. These justifications, however, have done little to quell criticism from Canada and domestic sceptics alike.
For Carney, the episode served to reinforce his political position following an election win driven by opposition to Trump’s rhetoric. His Liberal Party campaigned on promises to protect Canadian sovereignty and confront external pressure. The UK's gesture to Trump — hand-delivered by Sir Keir Starmer on behalf of the King — was viewed in Ottawa as tone-deaf. With Trump refusing to back down and the UK doubling down on bilateral ties, the situation revealed deep fissures in the transatlantic alliance. Navigating diplomacy in this climate remains a high-stakes challenge for all involved.
