Carney answers Trump: ‘Canada doesn’t live because of U.S.’


By AFP
January 22, 2026


Canadian Prime Minister Mark won praise for his speech about a rupture in the US-led global order at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland - Copyright AFP Fabrice COFFRINI

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney hit back Thursday at President Donald Trump’s inflammatory claim at the World Economic Forum that “Canada lives because of the United States.”

“Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian,” Carney responded in a national address in Quebec City ahead of a new legislative session, even as he acknowledged the “remarkable partnership” between the two nations.

Carney’s comments on Thursday followed his speech at the forum of political and financial elites in Davos, Switzerland, where he won a standing ovation for his frank assessment of a “rupture” in the US-led, rules-based global order.

That speech on Tuesday, which made world headlines, was widely viewed as a reference to Trump’s disruptive influence on international affairs, although he was not mentioned by name.

Carney told Davos that middle powers like Canada who had prospered through the era of an “American hegemon” needed to realize that a new reality had set in, and that “compliance” would not shelter them from major power aggression.

Trump took umbrage, and taunted Carney during his own speech a day later.

“I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasn’t so grateful,” the US president said on Wednesday.

“Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”

In Carney’s speech on Thursday, aimed at a domestic audience, he said that Canada should serve as a model in an era of “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,” the prime minister said.



– Alliances ‘redefined, broken’ –



While Carney has not been shy of criticizing Trump since he took office nine months ago, he heads a country that remains heavily reliant on trade with the United States, the destination for more than three quarters of Canadian exports.

Key Canadian sectors like auto, aluminum and steel have been hit hard by Trump’s global sectoral tariffs but the impacts of the levies have been muted by the president’s broad adherence to an existing North American free trade agreement.

Negotiations on revising that deal are set for the start of this year and Trump has repeatedly insisted the United States doesn’t need access to any Canadian products — which would have sweeping consequences for its northern neighbor.

Trump has also repeatedly threatened to annex Canada, and this week posted an image on social media of a map with Canada — as well as Greenland and Venezuela – covered by the American flag.

On Thursday, Carney said Canada was not under any “illusions” about the precarious state of global relations.

“The world is more divided. Former alliances are being redefined and, in some cases, broken.”

Citing his government’s plans to ramp up defense spending, Carney said “we must defend our sovereignty (and) secure our borders.”

Canada, he further said, has a mandate “to be a beacon, an example to a world that’s at sea.”

Petulant Trump's 'Mean Girls' move buried in mockery: 'Like an angry preteen'

Daniel Hampton
January 22, 2026
RAW STORY


Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to the media at Ritan Park, during the first visit by a Canadian prime minister to China since 2017, in Beijing, China, January 16, 2026. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio

President Donald Trump sparked fresh ridicule Thursday night as he dramatically yanked Canada's invitation to his exclusive Board of Peace initiative.

In a bitter Truth Social post aimed directly at Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, Trump made the rejection crystal clear.

"Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada's joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ⁠ever assembled, at any time," wrote Trump.

At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Carney delivered an eye-popping speech arguing that the U.S.‑led global order is in an irreversible “rupture” and urging “middle powers” to cooperate so they are not exploited by great powers.

In his own Davos speech the following day, an irked Trump explicitly called out Carney, saying Canada “benefits greatly” from the United States and “should be grateful.” He went further, declaring that “Canada lives because of the United States” and warning, "Remember that, Mark, next time you make your statements."

Internet critics scoffed at Trump's disinvitation, likening it to petulant classmates telling each other to find another lunch table.

Democratic strategist Chris D. Jackson chided on X, "Petulant child."

Award-winning author Jennifer Erin Valent wrote on X, "This is like a preteen angrily uninviting someone to what they claim will be the party of the year."

Cam Holmstrom, founder of an indigenous-owned and operated government affairs and public relations firm, wrote on X, "The petulance, the pettiness, the immaturity.... also known as exactly what we already knew about this guy This has such strong 'you can't fire me, I quit!' vibes."


Doug Garnett, host of the Marketing Podcast, wrote on X, "a badge of honor for Canada."

Former Journalist Eric Lloyd shared a gif on X of a famous "Mean Girls" clip in which the character Gretchen Wieners, played by Lacey Chabert, delivers the iconic line, "You can't sit with us!"

AttorneyJeff Robbins joked on X, "I bet Canadians are devastated."

Former ABC and CBS producer Bill Huffman wrote on X, "What @realDonaldTrump doesn’t realize is that this is all make-believe. To create a new charter or treaty, you need 2/3 approval from Congress. So basically, he just took a billion dollars from each of these DICTATORS to belong to an imaginary club. What could go wrong?"