Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has firmly rejected a remark by former U.S. President Donald Trump suggesting that Canada’s survival depends on the United States, stressing that the country’s strength and success are rooted in its own national identity and values.
Speaking on Thursday in Quebec City ahead of the opening of a new legislative session, Carney acknowledged the long-standing partnership between Ottawa and Washington but drew a clear line on Canada’s sovereignty and self-reliance.
“Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership,” the prime minister said. “But Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian.”
Carney’s comments came in response to Trump’s statement at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, where the former U.S. president claimed that “Canada lives because of the United States,” a remark that quickly sparked international attention and debate.
The Trenet earlier reported that Trump had openly criticised Canada during the Davos summit, telling the country to be “grateful” to the United States following Carney’s widely praised speech at the forum. The remark, which drew global reactions, reinforced Trump’s long-standing view that Canada benefits disproportionately from its relationship with Washington.
The exchange followed Carney’s own high-profile appearance at the Davos summit a day earlier, where his speech on global politics and democratic values earned a rare standing ovation from world leaders and business executives.
Without directly naming Trump, Carney used his Davos address to warn that the U.S.-led global order was facing a serious “rupture,” urging middle powers like Canada to adapt to shifting geopolitical realities. He cautioned that blind compliance with major powers would no longer guarantee security or prosperity.
“Middle powers that benefited from the era of American dominance must understand that the world has changed,” Carney said, adding that unity and cooperation among such nations were now essential to defend shared international values.
Trump later responded sharply, telling attendees in Davos that he had watched Carney’s speech and felt it lacked appreciation for the United States. “Canada lives because of the United States,” Trump said. “Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”
Back home, Carney reframed the debate for a domestic audience, emphasizing Canada’s role as a democratic example at a time of growing authoritarianism worldwide.
“Canada can’t solve every global challenge,” he said, “but we can show that another path is possible one where democracy, inclusion, and cooperation still matter.”
The diplomatic back-and-forth underscores rising tensions over global leadership, national identity, and the future of international cooperation, even among long-time allies.
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