"Canada and the US have built a strong partnership in economics, security, and cultural exchanges, but Canada does not exist thanks to the US. Canada thrives because we are Canadians. We are masters in our own home. This is our country, our future, and the choice lies with Canadians," Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a national address on 22/1.
He reaffirmed that Canada should serve as a model in an era of "democratic decline."
"Canada cannot solve all the world's problems, but we can show that another path exists and that the historical trajectory does not necessarily have to lean towards authoritarianism and exclusion, but can still move towards progress and justice," Prime Minister Carney said.
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Prime Minister Mark Carney delivers a national address on 22/1. Photo: The Canadian Press |
The Canadian Prime Minister's statements aimed to refute President Donald Trump's comment that "Canada exists thanks to the US." According to an official from the Prime Minister's Office, the rebuttal to Mr. Trump was added later and was not in the prepared speech.
On 20/1, Prime Minister Carney spoke at the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, stating that "the US-led global governance system is fracturing" and nations must adapt to this new reality.
According to him, Canada once benefited from a rules-based international order, where US leadership helped secure global interests such as freedom of navigation, a stable financial system, collective security, and dispute resolution mechanisms. However, a new reality has emerged.
He implied that countries like Canada should not try to appease superpowers, suggesting that the hope of "submission buying peace" is no longer viable.
The US President stated that the speech showed the Canadian Prime Minister "seemed quite ungrateful." "Canada gets many free things from us and they should be grateful. Canada exists thanks to the United States. Remember that next time you speak, Mark," Mr. Trump said.
Since entering Canadian politics last year, Mr. Carney has repeatedly warned that the world cannot return to its pre-Trump normal.
In the initial months after returning to the White House, President Trump repeatedly referred to Canada as the "51st state" and suggested that annexation by the US would benefit the neighboring country. Mr. Trump recently scaled back rhetoric about territorial annexation, but on the evening of 20/1, he posted an image showing maps of Canada and Venezuela covered by US flags.
Huyen Le (According to AFP, CBC)
