Saturday March 1, 2025
Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday March 1, 2025
Posted to the Toronto Star.
Recruiting Canada’s King For UK’s Strategic Flattery
In the nuanced world of international diplomacy, flattery has emerged as a key strategy for world leaders aiming to win favour with U.S. President Donald Trump. Recent developments involving the British monarchy, as well as Trump’s interactions with Australia and Canada, underscore the prominence of this diplomatic dance.
News: King Charles issues personal invite for Trump to visit Britain for state visit
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s recent invitation to Trump for a state visit, personally extended by King Charles III, exemplifies this approach. The British monarchy, with its historical gravitas and ceremonial splendour, serves as an effective means to capture Trump’s attention. For a president who appreciates grandeur and spectacle, the invitation is both a stroke to his ego and a diplomatic gesture. However, this timing is awkward for King Charles, who finds himself a pawn in a broader geopolitical play, potentially neglecting Canada, another Commonwealth realm.
Since his re-election, Trump has displayed a peculiar fixation on Canada, with rhetoric suggesting annexation and plans for severe economic measures, including a 25% tariff on Canadian steel and aluminum. This leaves Canada facing the threat of an economic conflict with its largest trading partner, while seemingly sidelined by its closest Commonwealth allies.
In stark contrast, Australia has adeptly managed its relationship with Trump, emphasizing shared defence interests and economic ties, such as those rooted in the AUKUS agreement. Even when Trump appeared unfamiliar with the AUKUS acronym, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and other leaders downplayed the incident, reinforcing the broader, positive relationship. This showcases a strategic use of flattery and reassurance to maintain favour with the U.S.
Analysis: For Trump, Australia is nothing like Canada
Early in the week, French President Emmanuel Macron demonstrated similar tact with body language, flowery expressions of loyalty, and addressing Trump as “Dear Donald.” Such gestures highlight the lengths to which leaders will go to secure Trump’s favour.
For Canada, the situation raises a pressing question: If the British monarchy cannot utilize its historical ties to advocate for Canada during times of crisis, what benefit does this relationship provide? With the Canadian Liberals poised to choose their next leader on March 9, perhaps a new Prime Minister will seek to leverage the monarchy’s influence to counteract Trump’s economic threats. Until then, Canadians watch the fawning interactions between the U.S., the UK, and other Commonwealth countries, left to navigate Trump’s rhetoric and threats largely on their own. If King Charles can be persuaded to act on Canada’s behalf, it may rejuvenate the perceived value of these historic ties.