World NewsCanadian PM Carney to meet British PM Starmer on Saturday

Canadian PM Carney to meet British PM Starmer on Saturday

"Sir Keir Starmer will travel to Canada next week to discuss security and economic co-operation after President Trump’s threats to its independence," reports British portal The Times.

Mark Carney, Canada's prime minister, left, and Keir Starmer, UK prime minster, during a meeting at Downing Street in London, UK, on Monday, March 17, 2025. Carney used his first international trip as Canada's prime minister to pitch a closer alliance with European allies as the country aims to reduce its dependence on an increasingly antagonistic US. Photographer: Neil Hall/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Mark Carney, Canada's prime minister, left, and Keir Starmer, UK prime minster, during a meeting at Downing Street in London, UK, on Monday, March 17, 2025. Carney used his first international trip as Canada's prime minister to pitch a closer alliance with European allies as the country aims to reduce its dependence on an increasingly antagonistic US. Photographer: Neil Hall/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Images source: © GETTY | Bloomberg

The meeting between Prime Ministers will take place on June 14, Saturday, against a rising tension in relations between Canada and the United States.

As The Times notes, Carney tried to mend ties during a visit to the White House last month, but faced a setback last week when Trump raised steel import tariffs to 50 per cent. The move triggered warnings from Canada about "catastrophic" job losses, factory shutdowns, and supply chain disruption. The UK remains the only country exempt from the 50 per cent tariff, following a deal reached between Trump and Starmer.

Cooling in relations between the US and Canada

President Donald Trump additionally, as The Times reminds, threatened Canada that if the country remains independent, it will have to pay $61 billion to be protected by newly proposed Golden Dome defense system. Another option, according to President Trump is to "become our cherished 51st State," and as a result paying "ZERO DOLLARS," adding that "They are considering the offer."

Canadian Defence Minister David McGuinty answered, stating that Canada controls its own expenditures and not other countries. "I learned a long time ago when it comes to managing relationships with other countries, you can only control what you can control." He also added, "And what we can control here now is decisions around strengthening our sovereignty and our security. We can also control our expenditures."

Canada and the UK - mending the bridges

The Times reminds that last month in an interview, Prime Minister Carney criticized Prime Minister Starmer and his decision to invite President Trump to UK. "I think, to be frank, they [Canadians] weren't impressed by that gesture... given the circumstance. It was at a time when we were being quite clear about the issues around sovereignty," he said in the interview.

"It is understood that Starmer was keen to hold talks with Carney, whom he has not met since the former governor of the Bank of England became prime minister in March," concludes The Times.

Source: The Times, Sky News

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