Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has reaffirmed his commitment to protecting Canada’s sovereignty, making it his top priority in discussions with King Charles on Monday. His remarks come in response to recent comments by U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that Canada should become the 51st U.S. state.

Speaking ahead of his meeting with Charles—who serves as Canada’s head of state—Trudeau underscored the importance of maintaining the country’s independence.

“Standing up for our sovereignty and our independence is paramount to Canadians,” he stated.

The meeting follows last week’s announcement that King Charles had extended an invitation to Trump for what would be a historic second state visit to Britain. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer personally delivered the invitation during a high-profile Oval Office meeting.

“I look forward to sitting down with His Majesty tomorrow. As always, we will discuss matters of importance to Canada and Canadians, and I can tell you that nothing seems more important to Canadians than standing up for our sovereignty and our independence as a nation,” Trudeau told reporters.

The outgoing prime minister has previously warned that Trump’s comments about annexing Canada should not be dismissed as mere rhetoric, arguing they are linked to the country’s vast natural resources. Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada would be economically and politically stronger as part of the United States.

When asked about Trump’s recent meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trudeau kept his response brief but firm: “I stand with Zelensky.”

As political tensions rise over Trump’s remarks, Trudeau’s discussions with King Charles are expected to focus on reinforcing Canada’s autonomy and addressing concerns over U.S. influence on its future.