Davey: PM should host a ‘maple leaf meeting’ economic summit of Commonwealth states to stand with Canada against Trump tariffs

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Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey has called on the Prime Minister to host a Commonwealth economic summit to boost economic ties and stand with Canadian allies against Donald Trump’s tariffs.

It comes as President Trump escalated his trade war with Canada, by raising the tariffs to 35%. Dozens of other countries have also been slapped with higher tariffs by the “bullying” Trump Administration.

The party is calling for the Prime Minister to host a ‘maple leaf meeting’ with Canada and other Commonwealth allies to discuss closer economic collaboration, in the face of Trump’s tariffs. Collectively the Commonwealth has a combined GDP of $13.1 trillion and some of the fastest growing economies in the world.

The Liberal Democrats are also urging the Prime Minister to host Mark Carney for an official visit to the UK just ahead of Trump's visit, including the opportunity to address Parliament, to signal the UK’s shoulder to shoulder support for Canada.

Liberal Democrat Leader Ed Davey said:

“Trump has shown time and time again that he has no respect for his closest allies, and the PM must take swift action to show the UK stands in solidarity with our Canadian friends by hosting the ‘Maple Leaf Meeting’.

“Closer economic collaboration and dialogue with Commonwealth allies across the globe is an important step to not only strengthen Canada’s hand against Trump’s bullying, but also help to deliver much needed growth here in the UK.

“In the face of an unstable and unpredictable Trump White House, we must show a united front and bring together an economic coalition of the willing against Trump’s senseless economic war.”

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITOR:

Commonwealth GDP, 2021: https://thecommonwealth.org/about/facts