Sir Keir Starmer has issued a shock slapdown of Donald Trump over his threats in opposition to Canada forward of assembly the Prime Minister in Ottawa. Speaking on his jet to the nation for the G7, Sir Keir pointedly described Canada as an “independent sovereign nation”.
The coded rebuke got here forward of Donald Trump’s first go to to the nation since calling for the nation to grow to be America’s ‘51st state’. The President’s outlandish feedback a couple of former shut ally noticed Liberal chief Mark Carney pull off a shock election victory in April, main his get together from a 20 level deficit in opposition to his rival Conservatives. Speaking forward of his assembly with Mark Carney, a former governor of the Bank of England, Sir Keir insisted he’ll negotiate with the man chief of an “independent sovereign country”.
He added: “Canada and the US are our allies. Canada is an independent, sovereign nation, and quite right, too.”
“That’s the basis on which I’ve approached my discussions with all of our partners. I’m not going to get into the precise conversations I’ve had, but let me be absolutely clear: Canada is an independent, sovereign country and a much-valued member of the Commonwealth.”
“And we work closely with Canada on any number of issues, whether that is defence and security – particularly the training in Ukraine, it’s been something where Canada and the U.K. have worked very closely together.
“We’ve got a massive trading agreement … 28 billion pounds worth of trade between the U.K. and Canada as it stands. And one of the things I want to do is to open the door to taking out further, reducing out trade barriers with Canada. So I’m really clear where we stand on that.”
The Prime Minister insisted he nonetheless has a “good relationship” with President Trump, which is much more important in mild of occasions within the Middle East.
Asked if he plans on enjoying the function of a ‘bridge’ between Europe and America, Sir Keir mentioned: “I think it’s really important for Britain to play a leading part in that, and that’s what I’ll be doing at the G7, talking to all of our partners in a constructive way.”
“And I’m very happy that I’ve developed good relations with all of the G7 leaders to the purpose the place … I’ve an excellent relations with all of them.”
The Prime Minister will sit down for dinner with Mr Carney in Ottawa this night earlier than heading off for the G7 in Calgary on Sunday.
As nicely as the same old invitees, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has additionally been invited to attend by Mr Carney, as have Mexico, India, and Saudi Arabia, the latter of whom’s Crown Prince won’t be attending.
https://www.express.co.uk/news/politics/2068763/keir-starmer-rebukes-donald-trump