(Image source from: Thefederal.com)
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney responded on Thursday to President Donald Trump's provocative statement at the World Economic Forum that "Canada exists because of the United States. " Carney voiced, "Canada does not depend on the United States for its existence. Canada flourishes because we are a proud nation," during a national address in Quebec City before the start of a new legislative session, while also recognizing the strong partnership between the two countries. On the same day, Trump seemed to retaliate by withdrawing Canada's invitation to join the "Board of Peace," his proposed billion-dollar organization for settling global disputes, via his Truth Social platform. Trump wrote, "Dear Prime Minister Carney: Please consider this letter as the official withdrawal of the invitation for Canada to join the Board of Peace," on his social media account. An official from the government informed AFP on Monday that Canada does not intend to pay to be part of this board, even though Carney had previously mentioned he would accept the offer to join.
The exchange between the two leaders highlights the increasing friction between these allied countries. Carney’s address on Thursday followed his comments at the elite gathering in Davos, Switzerland, where he received a standing ovation for his candid critique of the "breakdown" in the global order led by the US.
His Tuesday speech, which gained international attention, was largely interpreted as a critique of Trump's disruptive role in world affairs, though Trump was not named directly. At Davos, Carney stated that nations like Canada, which had thrived during the era of "American dominance," needed to recognize that the landscape has changed, and simply following the rules would not protect them from the threats posed by powerful nations. Trump reacted to Carney’s comments and mocked him during his address the following day. "I saw your prime minister yesterday. He didn’t show enough gratitude," the US president said on Wednesday. "Canada exists because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your remarks. " In Carney's Thursday address, directed at a local audience, he expressed that Canada should be an example in times of "democratic decline. ""Canada may not resolve every global issue, but we can demonstrate that a different approach is possible, and that history is not bound to shift towards authoritarianism and exclusion," stated the prime minister.
Although Carney has been open about his disapproval of Trump since he assumed office nine months ago, he leads a nation that still depends significantly on trade with the United States, which receives over seventy-five percent of Canada's exports. Important Canadian industries such as automotive, aluminum, and steel have faced severe challenges due to Trump's global tariffs, but the effects of these taxes have been softened by the president’s consistent support of the current North American free trade agreement. Talks to change that agreement are supposed to begin early this year, and Trump has often claimed that the United States does not require access to any Canadian goods — a move that could have major implications for Canada.
Trump has also consistently threatened to take control of Canada and recently shared a picture on social media showing a map with Canada, along with Greenland and Venezuela, covered by the American flag.
On Thursday, Carney remarked that Canada is not under any "illusions" about the delicate nature of international relations. "The world is becoming more divided. Previous alliances are being reworked and, in some cases, dissolved". Pointing to his government's strategy to increase military spending, Carney stated, "We need to protect our independence and secure our borders. " He added that Canada has a duty "to be a guiding light, an example to a world that is lost".
