Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his top priority in Monday’s talks with King Charles is safeguarding Canada’s sovereignty, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent remark about making Canada the 51st state.
Trudeau said nothing is more important to his citizens than “standing up for our sovereignty and our independence”, ahead of the meeting with Charles, who is Canada’s head of state.
Last week, Charles invited Trump to what would be a historic second state visit to Britain, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer handing over the invitation during a meeting before the world’s media in the Oval Office.
“I look forward to sitting down with His Majesty tomorrow, as always we will discuss matters of importance to Canada and Canadians, and I can tell you that nothing seems more important to Canadians than standing up for our sovereignty and our independence as a nation,” Trudeau told reporters.
Trudeau, the outgoing prime minister, said last month that Trump’s talk about absorbing Canada “is a real thing” and is linked to the country’s rich natural resources.
Trump has repeatedly suggested Canada would be better off if it agreed to become the 51st U.S. state.
Trudeau was also asked about Trump’s meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “I stand with Zelenskiy,” he said.
White House Clash
Last Week, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s White House meeting ended in a tense exchange over military aid and Ukraine’s future.
Zelenskyy pressed for stronger U.S. support against Russian aggression, while Trump questioned Ukraine’s handling of past aid and hinted at potential conditions for future assistance.
The meeting, aimed at strengthening U.S.-Ukraine ties and finalising a critical minerals deal, instead exposed deep divisions, with Trump reportedly emphasising the need for negotiations with Russia.
Zelenskyy, firm on Ukraine’s sovereignty, rejected any compromises.
(With inputs from Reuters)
