Canadians “weren’t impressed” by the UK’s decision to offer President Trump an unprecedented second state visit, the country’s new prime minister has said.
Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of England, said the decision “cut across” messages he was trying to send to Trump about sovereignty.
Trump has repeatedly called for Canada to become the US “cherished 51st state” and introduced a number of tariffs on imports. Standing up to Trump was a central plank in Carney’s recent election win.
The new prime minister’s campaign was largely focused on standing up to President Trump
ANNA MONEYMAKER/GETTY IMAGES
During Starmer’s visit to the White House in late February, the prime minister produced a letter from the King — who is also head of state in Canada — inviting Trump to visit the UK. Formal invitations are sent by the royal household on the advice of the Foreign Office.
Speaking to Sky News, Carney said Canadians “weren’t impressed by that gesture”, which came shortly before he was elected leader of the governing Liberal Party.
“Given the circumstance. It was at a time when we were being quite clear about the issues around sovereignty,” he said. “I was not yet prime minister but I was being clear on the campaign trail. It cut across some of those messages.”
Asked if a second state visit was appropriate, Carney added that it was just a “judgment for the government of the United Kingdom and the Palace”.
“I have an opinion on many things, some of which I keep to myself,” he said.
In a recent meeting between Trump and Carney, the prime minister told the US president that Canada: “Won’t be for sale, ever.” In response, Trump said: “Never say never.”
• Trump isn’t the first American to eye Canada
In his interview with Sky News, Carney said that a visit by Charles to Canada at the end of this month for the state opening of parliament is a “clear message of sovereignty”.
“All issues around Canada’s sovereignty have been accentuated by the president. So no, it’s not coincidental, but it is also a reaffirming moment for Canadians,” he added.
Asked about Carney’s comments on Wednesday morning, Pat McFadden, the chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, said the Canadian prime minister was “entitled to his view”.
“He’s got to decide how Canada conducts its relationship with the US, and by the same token so do we,” McFadden said. He added he was “completely relaxed” about Carney’s criticism, but reiterated ministers are “glad” Trump is returning for a historic second state visit.
Queen Elizabeth with Trump on his first state visit
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Trump suggested in April that his second state visit could take place in September, with details still to be confirmed. The letter sent by the King said the visit would “enhance the special relationship between our two countries of which we are both so proud”.
“As you will know this is unprecedented by a US president. That is why I would find it helpful for us to be able to discuss, together, a range of options for location and programme content.”
State visits differ from official trips because they are more formal events normally consisting of a state banquet and a ceremonial welcome.