An unremarkable soccer team has become an unexpected diplomatic tool in Canada's trade war with the US
Both Mark Carney and British PM Andy Burnham support Everton, a middling Premier League soccer team from the city of Liverpool.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and British counterpart Andy Burnham united as Everton fans on Wednesday, attending a soccer match that served as a diplomatic gesture amid Canada's trade war with the US. The two leaders, who share a passion for the same team, were spotted celebrating Everton's victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers, donning the team's blue and white colors and hugging after the game.
This act of solidarity could potentially strengthen Canada's ties with Europe, especially as the nation seeks to diversify its diplomatic relationships away from the US in the wake of the ongoing trade disputes with Trump's administration. Despite Everton's lack of recent success, the club's passionate fan base could provide a symbolic bridge between the two nations.
The EU has proposed making Canada an associate member, a potentially lucrative move that could include benefits like visa-free travel and access to the European single market. However, the US has threatened to retaliate with punitive tariffs if Canada follows through on the proposal.
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