Trudeau meets King Charles, discusses 'Canada’s future' amid Donald Trump's annexation threat

Trudeau took to X on Tuesday and shared a photo of him with the British monarch, saying they discussed ‘Canada’s sovereign and independent future’.

Updated on: Mar 4, 2025, 08:53:12 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with King Charles amid Donald Trump’s threat of tariffs and annexation of Canada.

Britain's King Charles III, left, meets Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at the Sandringham Estate in Norfolk, England, Monday March 3, 2025. AP/PTI(AP03_03_2025_000271B) (AP)

Donald Trump has repeatedly called for Canada to become ‘the 51st US state', a proposition that the US’ northern neighbour has vehemently rejected. King Charles, who also acts as Canada's head of state, is yet to react on the matter.

Trudeau took to X on Tuesday and shared a photo of him with the British monarch.

"I met with His Majesty King Charles III this morning. We spoke about matters of importance to Canadians — including, above all, Canada’s sovereign and independent future," he wrote.

The duo met at the royal residence of King Charles, Sandringham. The specific details regarding the private talks are not yet but the Associated Press reported that there were discussions surrounding Trump’s annexation threat.

Apart from the threat of annexation, the Donald Trump administration has also announced a 25 per cent tariff on Canadian goods, citing drugs coming into the US. Mexico will also be affected by Trump's tariff plans, poised to take effect on Tuesday.

Donald Trump's annexation threat to Canada

In December last year, Donald Trump proposed that Canada become the 51st state of the United States. He even claimed he would drop taxes for Canadians and suggested NHL legend Wayne Gretzky should lead the country.

“I just left Wayne Gretzky, ‘The Great One’ as he is known in Ice Hockey circles, a message. I said, ‘Wayne, why don’t you run for Prime Minister of Canada, soon to be known as the Governor of Canada – You would win easily, you wouldn’t even have to campaign,’” Trump posted on Truth Social at the time.

Since being sworn in as US President on January 20, Donald Trump has reiterated the call a few times, with his close ally and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk also backing the call. The proposal has received backlash across party lines from Canada.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, Nepal, UK, Bangladesh, Russia and US Iran war Live, get all the latest headlines in one place on Hindustan Times.