QUEBEC CITY: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has pushed back forcefully against remarks by US President Donald Trump, saying Canada’s strength is rooted in its own identity, not dependence on its southern neighbour.
“Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian,” Carney said in a national address in Quebec City ahead of a new legislative session, while also acknowledging what he described as the “remarkable partnership” between the two countries.
Trump appeared to respond later by withdrawing an invitation for Canada to join the so-called “Board of Peace,” a self-styled, billion-dollar body he has promoted as a forum for resolving global conflicts. A Canadian government source told AFP that Ottawa would not pay to be part of the board, although Carney had earlier indicated he would accept an invitation to join.
The exchange highlights growing strains between the long-time allies.
Carney’s remarks at home followed a high-profile speech earlier in the week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he received a standing ovation for his candid warning of a “rupture” in the US-led, rules-based global order. That address, which drew global attention, was widely seen as a critique of Trump’s disruptive influence on international affairs, though the US president was not mentioned by name.
At Davos, Carney said middle powers such as Canada, which had prospered during the era of an “American hegemon,” needed to recognise that global realities had shifted and that “compliance” would no longer protect them from aggression by major powers.
Trump bristled at the comments and taunted Carney during his own appearance at the forum a day later.
“I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasn’t so grateful,” Trump said.
“Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”
Addressing a domestic audience, Carney said Canada should aim to serve as a model at a time of what he described as “democratic decline.”
“Canada can’t solve all the world’s problems, but we can show that another way is possible, that the arc of history isn’t destined to be warped towards authoritarianism and exclusion,” he said.
Despite his criticism of Trump since the US president took office nine months ago, Carney leads a country deeply dependent on trade with the United States, which absorbs more than three-quarters of Canadian exports. Key sectors such as automobiles, aluminium and steel have been hit by Trump’s global sectoral tariffs, though the impact has been softened by Washington’s continued adherence to an existing North American free trade agreement.
Negotiations to revise that deal are expected to begin early this year, with Trump repeatedly insisting the United States does not need access to Canadian products — a position that could have sweeping consequences for Canada’s economy.
Trump has also repeatedly floated the idea of annexing Canada and recently shared an image on social media showing Canada — along with Greenland and Venezuela — covered by the American flag.
Carney said Canada harboured no “illusions” about the fragile state of global relations.
“The world is more divided. Former alliances are being redefined and, in some cases, broken,” he said.
Pointing to plans to increase defence spending, the prime minister added that Canada must “defend our sovereignty (and) secure our borders,” saying the country has a responsibility “to be a beacon, an example to a world that’s at sea.”
