Ed Davey calls on Keir Starmer to back Canada against Trump attacks

The leader of the UK’s Liberal Democrats has called on the prime minister to publicly support Canada and oppose the “shocking attacks” on Canadian sovereignty, as the Trump administration further escalates its global trade war against longstanding allies.

Ed Davey, who leads the third largest political party in the UK, has called on Keir Starmer to travel to Canada in a show of support to the nation’s new prime minister, Mark Carney, as the commonwealth nation faces a generational crisis under Trump’s tariff war and suggestions that the country might become the 51st US state.

“I believe Britain needs to stand by our allies, our allies in the commonwealth and our allies in Europe,” Davey said.

“Would we want the US to back away with its tariffs? Of course we would, and we should use every diplomatic weapon at our disposal to get it over to the White House that this is unfriendly, wrong and self-destructive.”

The call for Starmer to publicly stand by Canada comes at a crucial moment for the future of the Nato alliance and the war in Ukraine, as the prime minister has found himself walking a political tightrope between Europe and the US only months into Trump’s second term.

This week, the US announced a 25% tariff on all imports of steel and aluminium in part as retaliation for Ontario imposing a 25% surcharge on electricity exports to the US. The move was swiftly countered by the European Commission with up to €26bn (£22bn) worth of US goods.

The tariffs, which could affect 5% of Britain’s steel exports and 6% of aluminium exports, according to government figures, would not be countered by Starmer, he said before they went into effect on Wednesday.

Davey said: “I think in the short and the long term it serves you better if you make it clear to Trump that you are not going to roll over, that you are going to have principles and you will stand up to him.

“I’d like him to do more to show publicly that we support Canada and oppose these shocking attacks on Canadian sovereignty,” he added, calling the 51st state suggestion “appalling”.

On Wednesday during prime minister’s questions, Davey asked if Starmer would fly out to Canada “as soon as possible” in a show of support for Canada against Trump’s threats and tariffs.

Starmer said the situation in Canada has been discussed with allies on many occasions. He said he was disappointed to see the global tariffs on steel and aluminium, and said the UK will take “a pragmatic approach”.

“Canada is an ally, and a very important ally too,” said Starmer. “We are, as the right honourable gentleman knows, negotiating an economic deal, which covers and will include tariffs, if we succeed, but we will keep all options on the table.”

When Starmer visited the White House in February, Trump suggested a “real trade deal” between the US and the UK could mean tariffs were not necessary.

Throughout Canada’s 158 years as a nation, a British king or queen has served as head of state. Having King Charles as head of state for both the UK and Canada “ought to mean something”, argued Davey, who said he understood Canadians’ frustrations over silence from Nato partners and calls to dismantle the monarchy.

“I hope they now hear there are political voices in the UK standing up for them,” he added.

In his final days as prime minister, Justin Trudeau met King Charles at his Sandringham estate in Norfolk. After the meeting, a royal source said the king was “very conscious” of his global responsibility and unique diplomatic role, and is determined to put that to use. The king has recently expressed his “deepest affection” toward Canada, according to reports.

Davey said: “I hope we can find ways to deepen the contacts between the two countries because one of the things about good friends is you do need to be together, you do need to spend time together, you do need to remind yourself of that friendship and nurture it.

“There’s always a danger that over time the strength of that relationship can ebb and flow, and I think if the Trump horror makes us do anything, it should make us remember who our friends and our dear allies are.”