In a powerful address delivered in Quebec City ahead of a new parliamentary session, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney offered a robust rebuttal to U.S. President Donald Trump’s assertion that “Canada lives because of the United States.” Carney’s speech emphasized national self-determination and values, declaring that “Canada doesn’t live because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadian.”
The response came shortly after Trump criticized Carney’s earlier appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where the Canadian leader received a standing ovation for his critique of a fragmenting rules-based global order—a clear allusion to Trump’s disruptive foreign policy approach.
While acknowledging the long-standing partnership between the two nations, Carney used his platform to outline a vision of Canadian resilience and moral leadership in an era of democratic backsliding. He stated that Canada must serve as a beacon of stability and inclusivity despite global divisions, adding that “the arc of history isn’t destined to be warped towards authoritarianism and exclusion.”
The speech also touched on trade tensions, defense strategy, and sovereignty. Carney warned that traditional alliances are being “redefined and, in some cases, broken,” and emphasized Canada’s commitment to securing its borders and increasing defense spending.
This exchange highlights ongoing friction in U.S.-Canada relations, particularly as renegotiation of the North American free trade agreement looms. Trump has repeatedly questioned the trade relationship and even suggested annexation of Canadian territory in social media posts.
Still, Carney struck a tone of defiant optimism, framing Canada not as a dependent neighbor but as an example of principled governance in uncertain times.