In London, Carney underscores Canada’s sovereignty and identity

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. File
| Photo Credit: Reuters

LONDON Canada’s new Prime Minister, Mark Carney, arrived in London on Monday (March 17, 2025) for meetings with his counterpart, U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Mr Carney also met with King Chrales III, who is Canada’s titulary head of state.

Mr Carney, who arrived in the U.K. from Paris, is no stranger to London as the former governor of the Bank of England. The timing of his trip to Europe, days after he took the reins from former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, is significant. Weeks earlier, U.S. President Donald Trump had initiated a trade skirmish with Ottawa by imposing tariffs on its longtime ally and neighbour. Mr Trump has also repeatedly poked at Canada’s  sense of nationhood, by urging Canada to become the U.S.’s “cherished” 51^st state and going further to suggest that he would like to annex the county.

On Monday, Mr Carney and Mr Starmer reaffirmed a different version of Canada.

 “The leaders agreed that the U.K.-Canadian partnership is based on shared history and values, membership of the Commonwealth and a shared King and they both looked forward to strengthening ties,” the readout from No. 10 Downing Street said.

The two men discussed Ukraine at their meeting on Monday. Mr Carney’s first international engagement was on Saturday, on a call hosted by Mr Starmer for 26 Western countries to discuss potential peacekeeping options in Ukraine.

“They agreed that all must work together to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position to see a just and lasting peace,” the meeting readout from Downing Street said.

Facing trade headwinds from the U.S., Ottawa is also looking to strengthen its trade alliances abroad and the two prime ministers discussed an expansion of the Canada-UK trade corridor as well as cooperation in technology and AI, as per the Canadian government readout of the meeting.

“Canada is fortunate to have a steadfast defender in our sovereign,” Mr Carney said, posting a photograph of his meeting with King Charles on social media site X.

In Paris, Mr Carney had said it was “more important than ever” to strengthen ties with “reliable allies”.