President Donald Trump’s has responded to a report that King Charles III is preparing to extend an offer for the U.S. to become an “associate member” of the Commonwealth.
Posting on his social network Truth Social earlier today, Trump wrote simply: “I love King Charles. Sounds good to me!” in response to a report from U.K. newspaper The Sun, which said that Charles is preparing to make the offer to Trump during his upcoming state visit.
The Commonwealth, a loose association of 56 nations—many of them former British colonies—also includes countries like Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, with King Charles as their ceremonial head of state.
Commonwealth countries have no legal legal obligation to each another but citizens do receive benefits when they travel to the U.K., including being about to live, travel, study and work for six months without a visa.
The U.S. declared independence from Britain in 1776, securing its independence through the Treaty of Paris seven years later following the Revolutionary War.
Notably, Canada has recently found itself in Trump’s crosshairs, with the president mocking the country and suggesting it should become the “51st state.”
The proposal to bring the U.S. into the Commonwealth orbit, even in a symbolic or associate capacity, is being interpreted in some quarters as a strategic way to calm tensions with Canada.
The idea, while unprecedented, is reportedly being taken seriously at the highest levels of both British and American diplomacy.
A source told the Daily Mail: “This is being discussed at the top. It would be a historic move, reflecting the deep cultural and political bonds between Britain and the United States. Trump has a strong affinity for Britain and its traditions, and we believe he would appreciate the symbolic power of such a move.”
Trump’s affection for the British monarchy is well documented. During his first presidency, he made two visits to the late Queen Elizabeth II, including a full state visit. Now, with a second state visit on the cards, Trump is poised to become the only foreign leader ever to receive such an invitation twice, underlining the peculiarly potent diplomatic role that the Royal Family continues to play in U.K.-U.S. relations.
While Trump has consistently praised King Charles and Prince William, he’s been less gracious toward Prince Harry and Meghan Markle—he recently labelled Meghan as “terrible.”
A royal bromance could end up being about a great deal more than nostalgia or mere pageantry: Trump has floated the idea that Britain could be shielded from harsh tariffs currently being considered for other trading partners.
Buckingham Palace told The Daily Beast it wouldn’t comment.
