King Charles painted a grim picture of the state of the world in a speech on Tuesday in Canada’s Parliament, a situation he suggested was caused in part by President Trump’s economic policies.
“We must be cleareyed. The world is a more dangerous and uncertain place than at any point since the Second World War,” he said. “Canada is facing challenges that are unprecedented in our lifetimes.”
Charles is Canada’s head of state and his speech, which was written by officials working for Prime Minister Mark Carney, formally opened a new session of Parliament.
The king was invited by Mr. Carney to open the new Parliament this month just days after the prime minister led his Liberal Party to victory in federal elections.
The king’s visit was seen as a rebuke to Mr. Trump’s claims that Canada is not a sustainable nation and should become the 51st state.
“Many Canadians are anxious about the drastically changing world around them,” the king said. “Yet this moment is an opportunity for renewal and opportunity to think bigger and act bigger.”
While the speech noted that Canada would attempt to negotiate a trade and security agreement with the United States, it emphasized Mr. Carney’s pledge to find ways around the economic hold the United States has on Canada. The country’s economy is dependent on exports to the United States.
“By staying true to Canadian values, Canada can build a new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians,” the king said.
“Canada is ready to build a coalition of like-minded countries,’’ he added, that share its values, that believe in international cooperation and the free and open exchange of goods, services and ideas.”
Ian Austen reports on Canada for The Times based in Ottawa. He covers politics, culture and the people of Canada and has reported on the country for two decades. He can be reached at [email protected].
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