Sir Keir Starmer to meet Canadian PM Mark Carney ahead of pivotal G7 summit amid rising tensions with the US
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to travel to Canada later this week for high-level discussions with Prime Minister Mark Carney, as the two leaders seek to bolster trade and security ties in the face of escalating economic hostilities from the United States.
The meeting, scheduled for 14 June, will take place in Alberta ahead of the 2025 G7 summit. It comes amid mounting concern over former President Donald Trump’s increasingly combative stance towards Canada, which has included a renewed trade war and inflammatory rhetoric about annexation.
Mr Trump, currently seeking a return to the White House in November’s presidential election, has alarmed Ottawa by suggesting Canada should become the 51st state of the United States—a proposal widely condemned in Canada as provocative and absurd. In recent weeks, his administration has reimposed harsh tariffs on Canadian goods, including a doubling of levies on steel imports.
While Canada has responded with its own retaliatory measures, the economic damage is already being felt. Mr Carney travelled to Washington last month in a diplomatic effort to de-escalate the situation, but those overtures were rebuffed when President Trump announced the increase in tariffs.
In a rare diplomatic success for London, Britain has thus far been spared from the harshest of Mr Trump’s trade sanctions. Thanks to a deal struck last month by Sir Keir’s government, steel imports from the UK remain subject to a 25% tariff—significantly lower than the 50% imposed on Canadian goods. However, Whitehall sources warn that the exemption may be short-lived, with the higher rate potentially extended to the UK as early as July.
Sir Keir’s agreement with Washington, which included relief on tariffs for both steel and aluminium, is still awaiting full implementation. Officials from both sides are currently working through the fine print, with Downing Street keen to secure a stable and long-term arrangement.
The Prime Minister’s visit to Canada follows the recent royal tour by King Charles III, who delivered a solemn address to the Canadian Parliament warning of a “critical moment” in the nation’s history. In a speech penned by the Canadian government, the monarch spoke of a world that is “more dangerous and uncertain” than ever before and praised Canada’s intention to forge deeper bonds with “reliable trading partners and allies.”
Observers widely interpreted the King’s two-day stay in Ottawa as a powerful gesture of solidarity with Canada, which has found itself at the centre of an unwanted geopolitical row. His reference to “self-determination” was seen as a direct rebuke to Mr Trump’s annexation rhetoric.
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Speaking in London, a Downing Street spokesperson confirmed the Prime Minister’s itinerary. “Sir Keir Starmer will visit Alberta this week to meet Prime Minister Mark Carney for discussions on shared priorities, including economic stability, defence cooperation, and trade resilience. The talks will form part of a broader strategy to reaffirm Britain’s international partnerships in the lead-up to the G7 summit.”
Security matters are also expected to dominate the agenda, with both leaders keen to discuss NATO strategy, cyber threats, and the implications of political instability in the US. Britain and Canada, long-time allies, have both expressed concerns about shifting geopolitical alignments should Mr Trump return to power.
The upcoming G7 summit, which will see leaders from the world’s largest economies convene in Canada, is likely to be one of the most significant in years. With global security, trade, and democracy all under strain, Sir Keir’s diplomatic mission could not be more timely.
