Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly reassured that the relationship between Canada and the United Kingdom remains unchanged, despite remarks made by the British prime minister during his visit to the White House.

Speaking at a press conference in Vancouver on Friday, Joly emphasized that “no force on Earth will drive a wedge between Canada and the U.K.”

“It is in our DNA to maintain a close relationship with the U.K.,” she said, adding that she remains in regular contact with British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and national security adviser Jonathan Powell.

She also stressed the need for both countries to collaborate in managing the challenges arising from the unpredictability of U.S. policies.

As former U.S. President Donald Trump continued to challenge Canadian sovereignty, Canada has sought to bolster ties with historical allies like the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand.

Since his second term, Trump had frequently suggested Canada might one day become the “51st state” and dismissed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as a “governor.”

Joly’s remarks followed a day after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer stated during a White House press briefing that the relationship between the U.S. and U.K. remains strong.

When asked by a reporter whether King Charles had expressed concerns about Trump’s recent comments on annexing Canada, Starmer sidestepped the question, accusing the journalist of attempting to create a rift that doesn’t exist.

Starmer, who delivered an invitation from the King for President Trump to visit Balmoral, a Scottish royal estate, reassured that the two nations’ relations were solid. “We’re the closest of nations, and we had very good discussions today. But we didn’t discuss Canada,” Starmer explained, as President Trump interrupted, saying, “that’s enough.”

Roland Paris, a former foreign policy advisor to Prime Minister Trudeau, criticized Starmer’s response, calling it “unfortunate.”

“Starmer could have easily affirmed Canada’s sovereignty,” Paris remarked. “Instead, he missed the chance to clarify the distinction between his position and Trump’s.”

Paris speculated that Starmer was trying to maintain a positive atmosphere following what he called a productive discussion with Trump, but in doing so, the British prime minister “sacrificed Canada’s interests.”

Trump’s actions, Paris noted, have fostered a climate of uncertainty in which countries are increasingly focused on securing their own agendas, often overlooking the concerns of others.

Earlier on Friday, during an event with the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade, Joly shared that she had warned European counterparts about potential threats from Trump, describing Canada as a “canary in the coal mine.”

She recalled writing to European leaders after Trump threatened tariffs on the European Union, telling them, “I told you.”