Fact Check: British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet in Ottawa on Sunday to discuss reducing trade barriers between the UK and Canada.

Fact Check: "British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney will meet in Ottawa on Sunday to discuss reducing trade barriers between the UK and Canada."

What We Know

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is indeed in Ottawa to meet with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney. Their meeting is scheduled for Sunday morning, just before both leaders head to the G7 summit in Alberta. The discussions between Starmer and Carney are expected to focus on various topics, including security and trade. Carney's office has indicated that the aim of their talks is to "strengthen the long-standing economic and security partnership between the two nations" (BBC).

Historically, trade negotiations between the UK and Canada have faced challenges, particularly due to disputes over agricultural products such as beef and cheese, which led to a breakdown in talks in early 2024 (The Globe and Mail). However, Starmer has hinted at a desire to revive these stalled trade discussions during his visit (The Independent).

Analysis

The claim that Starmer and Carney will meet to discuss reducing trade barriers is partially true. While it is confirmed that they will meet and trade is one of the topics on the agenda, the specifics regarding the reduction of trade barriers are less clear. The focus on trade appears to be more about reopening discussions rather than immediate actions to reduce barriers.

The reliability of the sources used in this fact-check is generally high. The BBC and The Globe and Mail are reputable news organizations known for their journalistic standards. However, some sources like The Independent and Bloomberg may have a slight bias depending on their editorial slant, but they still provide valuable insights into the context of the meeting and the state of UK-Canada trade relations.

Furthermore, while the meeting is taking place, the context surrounding it—such as previous breakdowns in negotiations and ongoing disputes—suggests that any immediate outcomes regarding trade barriers may be limited. The discussions are framed more as a step towards re-engagement rather than a definitive plan to reduce barriers.

Conclusion

The verdict on the claim is Partially True. While it is accurate that Starmer and Carney will meet and that trade will be a topic of discussion, the assertion that they will specifically discuss reducing trade barriers lacks clarity and certainty. The meeting appears to be more about re-establishing dialogue rather than finalizing any agreements or immediate actions.

Sources

1. Starmer heads to Canada for talks on security and trade
2. Keir Starmer in Ottawa to talk trade, Middle East conflict ...
3. British PM Keir Starmer meets with Canadian counterpart ...
4. Starmer hints at revival of UK-Canada trade talks ahead ...
5. Canada is independent and sovereign, says Starmer ...
6. U.K.'s Starmer to meet with Carney in Ottawa ahead of G7 ...
7. Starmer Indicates Prospect of Fresh UK-Canada Trade Talks
8. Starmer's rebuke to Trump as he prepares for Canada ...