UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – UK PM Keir Starmer faces calls to act as Donald Trump threatens Canada with trade tariffs just weeks before his UK state visit.
As reported by The Independent, Keir Starmer is under pressure to take a firm stance following President Trump’s decision to suspend trade negotiations with Canada.
Just weeks before his UK state visit to meet King Charles, former President Donald Trump claimed he holds “such power” over Canada but added, “I’d rather not use it.”
Amid growing fears of a renewed trade conflict, Mr Trump unsettled markets by vowing to inform Canada of the tariffs it would face on US-bound goods “within the next seven days.”
A Canadian Conservative MP and a former ambassador were among those who criticised the UK Prime Minister for failing to defend their country amid tensions with Donald Trump.
What did Ed Davey say about Trump and UK-Canada defence ties?
Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said,
“Trump has shown his disregard for our collective security time and time again – not least this week, displaying total indifference to his traditional allies by threatening the future of the AUKUS defence agreement.”
He added,
“We should work with our Commonwealth ally Canada as it joins the UK in increasing defence spending, but also looks to move away from its reliance on US military exports. That is why I am urging the Prime Minister to propose a new, bilateral UK-Canada defence pact at the G7 this weekend, making us more secure while also boosting British manufacturing.”
What did Daisy Cooper say about Trump’s trade war?
Liberal Democrat deputy leader Daisy Cooper stated,
“Once again, Donald Trump has shown contempt for his allies by continuing his damaging trade war. With such an unreliable partner in the White House, the government needs to strengthen our economy by establishing a bespoke UK-EU Customs Union, and work closer with our European and Commonwealth allies to create a coalition of the willing to end Trump’s trade war.”
What did Stephen Gethins say about Trump and Brexit?
SNP MP Stephen Gethins said,
“The Trump project, just like Brexit, is about throwing up barriers to trade with our partners that will cost jobs and damage public finances. The UK needs to be building bridges with states like Canada and the EU that will help deliver sustainable economic growth. There have to be serious questions around the Labour government’s judgment over the offer of a state visit to Trump.”
What did Trump say about Canada’s new tech plans?
President Trump said on Truth Social that he had “just been informed” of the move, which could lead to high costs for American tech companies.
He called the initiatives “a direct and blatant attack on our Country.”
Mr Trump said,
“They are obviously copying the European Union, which has done the same thing, and is currently under discussion with us.”
He stated that the U.S. enjoys strong ties with the Canadian people but blamed Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government for making relations “very difficult.”
He added,
“We don’t want to do anything bad, but … economically … we have such power over Canada. I’d rather not use it, but they did something with our tech companies today, trying to copy Europe.”
What did Keir Starmer say about Nigel Farage’s coal plan in Wales?
Keir Starmer accused Reform UK leader Nigel Farage of “taking people for fools” during a visit to Wales, criticising his proposal to reopen coal mines in Port Talbot to power the town’s closed steel blast furnaces.
He added,
“Just look what he said … pretending he has a plan to reopen a blast furnace. Nigel Farage isn’t interested in Wales. He is interested in Nigel Farage.”