The US President has already threatened ‘serious tariffs’ on the EU.
Mark Carney and Andy Burnham (Image: Everton FC via Getty Images)
Smiles, scarves and plenty of saccharin – or should we say toffee. All three were on show when Andy Burnham and his new best buddy, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, went to watch their beloved Everton last night.
It ended well – a late victory for the Merseyside team – known as the Toffees – was the perfect result for the two leaders. But the post match glow could soon be wiped off their faces by another supposed football fan – Donald Trump.
Donald Trump (Image: AP Photo/Matt Kelley)
The US President has threatened to take action against the European Union if it moves forward with a proposal to make Canada its first “associate member”.
Canada’s relationship with the US – long considered its closest partner – has soured in recent months, and Carney has been developing closer relations with the EU and Britain too.
Last week, he said he’s seeking a “unique alliance” with Brussels. And, in her State of the Union address this week, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s said she wanted to work on “opening the door” for Canada, which would involve closer ties in various key sectors.
Trump described the move as a “hostile act” and vowed to put “very serious tariffs or stop trading with Europe on many things”.
Carney is due to address the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France today – he’s attending the parliament’s plenary meeting as a guest of honour.
Mark Carney and Ursula von der Leyen (Image: Canadian Press/Shutterstock)
So where does Britain fit into this?
Thanks to Brexit we’re outside the EU but Burnham has made it planly clear that he wants to move closer to the bloc.
Britain has always had a very sepcial relationship with the US too but it has been put under strain in recent months as tensions rise over Greenland, the Falklands, Israel and Chagos Islands.
Former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer had a tumultuous relationship with the US strongman and Burnham, who is due to meet him in New York next week, has a tightrope to walk.
But his cosy relationship with Europe and now Carney could make life in the Big Apple rather awkward.