At the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Swiss Alps, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney forcefully responded to remarks made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding Canada’s place in the global order. Trump had asserted during the forum that “Canada lives because of the United States,” a comment that drew immediate rebuke from Carney.
Carney used both his Davos address and a subsequent speech in Quebec City to push back against the implication that Canada’s prosperity depends primarily on its southern neighbour. “Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian,” Carney stressed, framing his remarks around Canadian values, sovereignty and independence in shaping the country’s future.
In Davos, Carney had earlier delivered a widely noted speech urging “middle powers” like Canada to reassess their strategic autonomy in a world where old assumptions about a U.S.-led rules-based order are fracturing. He described the current global environment as one of intensifying rivalry among major powers and called for collaboration among like-minded nations to uphold democratic principles and shared prosperity.
Trump’s comments sparked broader debate among world leaders at the forum, reinforcing differing views on multilateral cooperation and global economic leadership. The exchange highlighted Canada’s desire to chart an independent course while maintaining strong, albeit rebalanced, ties with global partners, including the United States, news as reported.
