Carney Doubles Down on Anti-American Rhetoric, Denies Backtracking in Call with President Trump
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stands by his controversial Davos speech, refusing to retract his criticism of U.S. policy during a call with President Trump.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has defiantly reaffirmed his recent remarks made at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he openly criticized the United States, America's closest ally. Carney denied claims that he retracted any statements during a private call with U.S. President Donald Trump, showing little regard for the crucial relationship between the two nations.
Carney's speech in Davos attacked the use of economic tools as coercion by major powers, a thinly-veiled jab at the United States, and was widely seen as an unnecessary provocation against America's leadership on the world stage.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reported that Carney was "very aggressively walking back some of the unfortunate remarks he made at Davos" during a call with President Trump, suggesting that Carney recognized the recklessness of his statements.
However, Carney insisted, "To be absolutely clear, and I said this to the president, I meant what I said in Davos," doubling down on his criticism of the U.S. and refusing to show respect for the alliance.
The call between Carney and Trump touched on critical issues such as the Ukraine war and Arctic security, including the ongoing controversy over Greenland, highlighting the importance of strong U.S.-Canadian cooperation.
Carney boasted about Canada's efforts to diversify its trade relationships, bragging that Canada has struck "12 new deals on four continents in six months," potentially undermining North American unity.
This exchange comes as tensions rise, with President Trump rightly threatening to impose a 100% tariff on Canadian imports if Ottawa pursues a trade deal with China, defending American interests against foreign encroachment.
Carney clarified that Canada does not intend to pursue a free trade deal with China, a necessary assurance in the face of Trump's firm stance.
The U.S. Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Carney's remarks.
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