"Diplomatic backlash as Keir Starmer refuses to defend Canada against Trump's annexation calls"

A diplomatic controversy has erupted following UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's apparent refusal to publicly support Canada in response to former President Donald Trump's repeated statements urging its annexation as America's 51st state. Starmer's lack of public solidarity drew criticism from influential voices within Canada, including political figures and media commentators.

Donald Trump's recent rhetoric included provocative claims that Canada relied heavily on US financial support to remain viable, suggesting that without American subsidies, Canada would cease to exist. This aggressive stance has caused growing tensions and unease in Canada.

The dispute escalated when Andrew Feinberg, White House correspondent for The Independent, confronted Starmer about Trump's annexation remarks during a press conference following Starmer’s U.S. visit. Feinberg had asked Starmer specifically whether he had discussed Trump's proposals with him or voiced any concerns from King Charles III, given Starmer had delivered an invitation for Trump to have a state visit in the UK. Starmer attempted to deflect the topic by emphasizing his strong ties with the United States and did not directly address Trump's controversial statements on Canada.

Starmer's remarks and avoidance of explicitly standing up for Canada quickly drew criticism. Conservative MP Dan Albas expressed disappointment, mentioning Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's previous efforts to build stronger ties with Britain. Former Canadian ambassador Artur Wilczynski denounced Starmer sharply, highlighting that Canadians had sacrificed heavily for Britain historically and calling out Starmer for failing to show vocal support. Similarly, well-known columnist Susan Delacourt accused Starmer of mishandling the situation and damaging solidarity within the Commonwealth.

Despite this irritation regarding Canada, Starmer's White House visit had initially been lauded as successful. He secured Trump's backing for a proposed Chagos Islands agreement and began trade negotiations. Moreover, Starmer felt that he had influenced Trump toward accepting military arrangements as guarantees within a Ukrainian peace settlement.

Nevertheless, critics argue this diplomatic progress was overshadowed by Starmer's willingness to embrace and appease Trump in other areas—including Trump's aggressive stance toward Canada, tariffs recently imposed on Canadian imports, his previous talks of annexing Greenland, and controversial decisions involving Ukraine's future. When UK officials were asked to comment on Trump imposing steep tariffs of 25 percent on Canadian goods, No. 10 refused to defend Canada publicly, citing that trade policies between other nations were their own sovereignty matters, further fuelling diplomatic tensions.