Trudeau says protecting Canada’s independence is his priority in talks with King Charles
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Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer (right) greeting Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as he arrives to attend a summit held at Lancaster House in London on March 2.
PHOTO: AFP
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LONDON - Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his priority in talks with King Charles on March 3 will be protecting his country’s sovereignty after US President Donald Trump recently suggested making Canada the 51st American state.
Mr Trudeau said nothing is more important to his citizens than “standing up for our sovereignty and our independence”, ahead of the meeting with Charles, who is Canada’s head of state.
Last week, the King invited Mr Trump to what would be a historic second state visit to Britain,
“I look forward to sitting down with His Majesty tomorrow, as always we will discuss matters of importance to Canada and Canadians, and I can tell you that nothing seems more important to Canadians than standing up for our sovereignty and our independence as a nation,” Mr Trudeau told reporters.
Mr Trudeau, the country’s outgoing prime minister, said last month that Mr Trump’s talk about absorbing Canada “is a real thing” and is linked to the country’s rich natural resources.
Mr Trump has repeatedly suggested Canada would be better off if it agreed to become the 51st US state.
Mr Trudeau was also asked about Mr Trump’s explosive meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Feb 28
