TORONTO (AP) — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney fired back Thursday at U.S. President Donald Trump, who had said, “Canada lives because of the United States.” Carney emphasized that Canada thrives due to Canadian values, sovereignty, and democracy, not American support.
Carney’s remarks follow his widely noted speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he condemned coercion by major powers on smaller nations, without directly naming Trump.
“Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian,” Carney said upon returning home.
He added that the U.S. and Canada share strong economic, security, and cultural ties, but Canada remains “master in our home”, controlling its own future.
Trump Responds
Trump criticized Carney’s Davos speech as ungrateful, claiming Canada receives “many freebies” from the U.S. He later revoked Carney’s invitation to join his Board of Peace, a multibillion-dollar initiative aimed at maintaining global security and ceasefires, including in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Trump has also stirred controversy by suggesting Canada could become the 51st U.S. state and posting a map that included Canada, Greenland, Venezuela, and Cuba in U.S. territory.
Carney Defends Canadian Values
In a speech at a cabinet retreat in Quebec City, Carney stressed that Canada must uphold its pluralistic, democratic, and inclusive values as a model for the world:
- Canada can demonstrate that history does not have to bend toward authoritarianism.
- Diversity is a strength, not a weakness.
- Democracy should protect the vulnerable against the powerful.
- Opportunity is open to all, regardless of wealth, race, or religion.
“It’s a great country for everyone. It is the greatest country in the world to be a regular person,” Carney said.
Carney highlighted Canada’s ability to deliver shared prosperity and maintain independence even amid rising global populism and nationalism.
International Reactions
U.S. officials were critical: Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick dismissed Carney’s speech as complaining, while California Gov. Gavin Newsom praised Carney for his courage, calling his stand a model for the U.S. to resist threats to democratic norms.
Carney’s tenure also included a notable trade achievement: securing a deal for low-cost electric vehicles imported to Canada, bypassing U.S.-made vehicles, highlighting both Canada’s economic independence and Trump’s foreign policy risks.
Carney’s remarks mark a rare and pointed public rebuke of a sitting U.S. president by a Canadian leader, emphasizing sovereignty, democratic values, and Canada’s global example.
