Starmer Defends Canada Amid Trump Annexation Claims

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has publicly defended Canada's sovereignty in response to US President Donald Trump's repeated remarks about annexing Canada as the '51st state.' Speaking in Ottawa ahead of the G7 summit, Starmer affirmed Canada's independence and its key role in the Commonwealth, while underlining the UK's strong ties with both Canada and the US. Starmer's visit aims to revive UK-Canada trade talks, with bilateral trade currently valued at around £28 billion, and to promote further reduction of trade barriers. He also addressed broader concerns over US trade protectionism as the UK pursues a separate trade agreement with America. This marks the first visit by a British prime minister to Canada in eight years and highlights the UK's effort to act as a diplomatic bridge between Europe and the US. Starmer reiterated that the UK will continue its close cooperation with Canada on security, defense, and support for Ukraine.