King Charles III would like to contribute to easing tensions between Canada and the United States by resorting to a “secret offer” to be made during Trump’s upcoming state visit to the United Kingdom. According to The Daily Mail, King Charles may propose entry of the United States as an “associate member” of the Commonwealth of Nations. The initiative, already suggested by the Royal Commonwealth Society during Trump’s first term with Queen Elizabeth’s approval, is now back in the news as a possible solution to friction between Washington and Ottawa, exacerbated by the tariffs imposed by Trump on Canadian products. Canada, of which King Charles is head of state, is already part of the Commonwealth. The international association, which so far has 56 states within it, may soon welcome the United States as a new member.
The invitation to the U.S. president for a state visit was hand-delivered by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who visited the White House last month. Trump, who seems to have appreciated the gesture, called King Charles and Starmer “beautiful” and “special” after receiving it and added that it would be an “honor to visit the King’s amazing country,” underscoring his esteem for the royal family.
Tensions between the United States and Canada had begun last February because of the tariffs Donald Trump imposed on goods from Canada entering the United States. Trump had then said that Canada could avoid paying higher taxes only if it joined the United States of America by becoming its 51 state, but Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had strongly opposed the offer, defending its identity as a country independent of the US.
Now, King Charles’ move to invite the U.S. to join the Commonwealth carries with it the hope of bringing the countries together in a peaceful cooperation of shared values based on the principles of democracy with respect for human rights in a climate of global tensions.
