» US to join the Commonwealth? Trump thinks it ‘sounds good’

London: Donald Trump has expressed interest in the United States becoming an “associate member” of the Commonwealth, citing his admiration for King Charles.

The US president posted on social media a news story from The Sun that referred to a supposed “secret offer” the British monarch is due to make during Trump’s planned state visit to the UK. He added: “I Love King Charles. Sounds good to me!”

The idea, which has surfaced before, was first reported by the London Telegraph in 2017 during Trump’s first term in office and appears to have gained traction again during this term.

The Sun news story followed a Daily Mail article that said plans were “allegedly in the works to make the USA the next ‘associate member’ of the Commonwealth”. It was reported that the US was being considered for membership discussions at the “highest levels”, although it remains unclear whether the British monarchy or government are officially involved in any such plans.

The article added that including the US in the Commonwealth “may dampen the current conflict” with Canada, which Trump has said he would like to annex. Mark Carney, the country’s new prime minister, visited the King in London this week. Canada has been a Commonwealth member since 1931.

The Commonwealth of Nations was established in 1926. It is a voluntary association of 56 countries – including Australia, Canada, India, Kenya, Malaysia, and New Zealand – led by the King and its members are generally drawn from the former British Empire. However, the last four countries to join – Mozambique, Rwanda, Gabon, and Togo – had no historical ties to Britain.