Canadian PM Criticism Of UK Invitations For Trump's Visit

JAKARTA - Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney criticized England's invitation to Donald Trump for a second state visit.

Carney said it undermined his government's efforts to project a unity front against US president talks about Canada's annexation.

Since taking office in January, Trump has repeatedly said he wants Canada to become the 51st US state, a proposal that has angered Canadians and made Britain try to tread a thin line between the two North American countries.

The King of England Charles is also the head of Canadian state, a former British colony. King Charles has made a number of symbolic movements in recent months, wearing Canadian medals, plantingdeles trees, and calling himself the king of Canada.

Charles, who is still undergoing cancer treatment, will also attend the opening of Canada's state parliament on May 27, the first time a British king has attended the event in Ottawa since 1977.

Carney in an interview with Sky News, was asked about British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's move in February to hand Trump an invitation from the king for an unprecedented second state visit to London.

"To be honest, I don't think they (Canaans) were impressed by that attitude given the situation. It happened when we were pretty clear about issues surrounding sovereignty," he said.

Carney, who won the party election to become prime minister in March, said King Charles' presence in Canada later this month was intentional.

"All issues surrounding Canada's sovereignty have been emphasized by the president. So, no, this is not a coincidence, but this is also a moment of affirmation for Canadians," he said.

Meanwhile, Starmer, which is trying to improve trade relations with the US after Britain left the European Union, has made efforts to take advantage of its strength in dealing with Trump, by discussing its security expertise, promising higher defense spending, and offering the splendor and luxury that accompanys state visits.

Trump, whose mother was born in England and has repeatedly praised the British royal family, approved a limited bilateral trade agreement with London this month.

When asked about Carney's criticism, British senior minister Pat McFadden told Sky News each country should decide how to carry out its relations with other countries.