Trudeau to discuss Trump’s annexation threats with King Charles

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to bring up US President Donald Trump’s recent threats to annex Canada when he meets King Charles III on Monday.

Their meeting comes after some Canadians criticised the British monarch, who is Canada’s head of state, for failing to publicly respond to Trump’s comments.

Speaking in London on Sunday, Trudeau said the pair would discuss topics that Canadians deem important.

“Nothing seems more important to Canadians right now than standing up for our sovereignty and our independence as a nation,” he said.

Former Alberta Premier Jason Kenney defended the king over his public silence, noting that the monarch acts solely on the advice of Canada’s prime minister.

“The government of Canada should ask the head of state to underscore Canadian sovereignty,” he wrote on X.

Meanwhile, constitutional lawyer Lyle Skinner expressed his hope that Monday’s discussion would lead to “the king making a statement regarding his Canadian realm”.

However, experts remain divided on whether Trudeau will formally ask Charles to make a public statement. 

Daniel Béland, a political scientist at McGill University, warned that it was a “highly delicate diplomatic matter”.

Not only could Trump be angered but a mistake could also “hurt the image and political legitimacy of the monarchy”, he added.

Béland suggested that Trudeau should speak with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer first about Trump’s threats to make Canada the US’ 51st state. 

Some have questioned the king’s role in Canada as a result of the issue.

“Canadians will need to decide what purpose King Charles III serves as King of Canada if he can’t even speak up for our sovereignty,” former Canadian public servant Artur Wilczynski said.

Abolishing the monarchy would require a constitutional amendment, a process fraught with challenges.