WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that Mark Carney is not “grateful” after the prime minister warned an international audience that the world has entered a dangerous new age of great power rivalries.
During a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Trump said he heard Carney’s Tuesday speech, which was widely praised around the world. The president said “Canada gets a lot of freebies from us” and should be thankful.
“I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasn’t so grateful,” Trump said. “But they should be grateful to us. Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”
While Carney’s speech — which drew a standing ovation at the elite annual international forum — never mentioned Trump by name, the prime minister warned the old world order is dead and urged middle powers to band together as larger ones try to pressure them through economic coercion.
Trump’s comments about Carney came as the president mentioned his “Golden Dome” plan for a missile defence shield. He previously said it would cost Ottawa $61 billion to join — all while insisting that Canada should become the “51st state.”
Trump said the dome, by its nature, will defend Canada.
World leaders have struggled to respond to an increasingly unstable United States. Trump’s volatile tariff policies and threats against other countries’ sovereignty have upended traditional alliances and spread doubt about the United States’ commitment to NATO.
During Wednesday’s rambling speech, Trump took shots at Europe and repeated his claim that the United States needs Greenland.
Trump said that while he wants Greenland, “including right, title and ownership,” he added he won’t use force to take the autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark.
The president’s comments about Greenland have rattled America’s allies and overshadowed the forum. His speech came after he issued new tariff threats against Denmark and other European countries if they do not sign over Greenland to the United States.
Trump has also linked his expansionist desires to his displeasure over not receiving the Nobel Peace Prize.
In a stark warning to NATO, Trump told the forum that members of the military alliance can approve of the United States seizing Greenland, “and we’ll be very appreciative. Or you can say, ‘No,’ and we will remember.”
Trump mistakenly named Iceland instead of Greenland repeatedly during the speech.
European leaders have said Greenland is a red line they are unwilling to cross. Carney said Tuesday Canada stands with Greenland and Denmark and supports their right to determine the territory’s future.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 21, 2026.
— with files from The Associated Press
Kelly Geraldine Malone, The Canadian Press
