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

Lib Dem leader says PM should make public show of support for ally against ‘shocking attacks’ on its sovereignty

**Contributor:** Geneva Abdul  
**Published:** Fri 14 Mar 2025 02.00 EDT  
**Last modified:** Fri 14 Mar 2025 10.38 EDT

The leader of the UK’s Liberal Democrats has called on the prime minister to publicly support  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  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.

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, which was itself a response to US tariffs. The move was swiftly countered by the European Commission with up to .

The tariffs, which could affect 5% of Britain’s steel exports and 6% of aluminium exports, according to government figures, , he said before they went into effect on Wednesday.

Davey said: “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, which was itself a response to US tariffs. The move was swiftly countered by the European Commission with up to .

The tariffs, which could affect 5% of Britain’s steel exports and 6% of aluminium exports, according to government figures, , 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.

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