In his first official overseas visit as Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney met with King Charles III and UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in London. The trip highlights Carney’s focus on strengthening ties with European allies as tensions with the United States escalate, particularly following US President Donald Trump’s controversial remarks about Canada.
Carney, who replaced Justin Trudeau last week, arrived in the UK after meeting French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Describing the tour as part of efforts to build connections with “reliable allies” during a period of “global realignment,” Carney’s visit comes at a critical moment in Canada-US relations, with a trade war brewing and Trump suggesting that Canada could be annexed as the 51st US state—an idea Carney forcefully rejected.
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At Buckingham Palace, Carney was warmly greeted by King Charles III. The two shared a light-hearted moment when Carney mentioned that his Order of Canada pin had broken, and the King jokingly offered to give him his own. The private meeting between Carney and the monarch, though customary for Commonwealth leaders, carried symbolic weight given the current diplomatic tensions with Washington.
Following his audience with the King, Carney met UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street. Both leaders reaffirmed the strong historical ties between their countries, with Starmer calling the meeting “fantastic” and emphasizing the shared values and heritage that unite the UK and Canada. Carney, in a joint press conference, reiterated Canada’s sovereignty and dismissed Trump’s comments about annexation as “disrespectful,” emphasizing that Canada would never become part of the United States.
Carney’s European trip also comes as Canada and the US engage in a heated trade dispute. Trump’s administration has imposed heavy tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium, prompting Canada to respond with matching tariffs on US goods. While Carney stressed that Canada is not seeking coordinated retaliation, he acknowledged the challenges of facing the US’s economic power.
In addition to managing trade tensions, Carney’s visit to Europe aims to bolster multilateral partnerships. He praised the UK’s leadership, particularly its role in rallying global support for Ukraine, and participated in a virtual summit with European allies to coordinate efforts on the crisis.
Royal observers have noted King Charles’ subtle signals of support for Canada, from his attire to symbolic gestures at Commonwealth events, reinforcing the close ties between the two countries.
