Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney is seeing a surge of domestic support after renewed verbal attacks from United States President Donald Trump followed a high profile speech by Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Swiss officials and analysts say.
Carney drew international attention last week when he used his Davos address to warn that the era of a rules based global order had ended, urging so called middle powers to cooperate more closely as economic pressure and tariffs are increasingly used as political weapons.
The speech earned Carney a rare standing ovation from delegates and appears to have resonated at home, where Canadians are reacting strongly to Trump response and growing concerns about economic and political pressure from Washington.
Speaking to global political and business leaders, Carney argued that countries like Canada could no longer rely on established trade norms to protect their interests.
“When the rules no longer protect you, you must protect yourself,” Carney said. “Middle powers must act together because if you are not on the table, you are on the menu.”
According to Reuters, Carney wrote the speech himself, underscoring how central the message was to his evolving foreign policy stance. The prime minister pointed to Canada as a test case for nations seeking to diversify trade and reduce vulnerability to economic coercion.
Political analysts say the blunt tone marked a shift from Canada traditionally cautious diplomacy.
Laura Stephenson, a political science professor at the University of Western Ontario, said the remarks were likely to resonate with many Canadians.
“Carney is displaying courage by saying these things so publicly,” Stephenson said. “There will be pride that the global reception to his speech has been largely positive.”
Trump responded sharply, dismissing Carney criticism and framing Canada economic success as dependent on the United States.
“Canada lives because of the United States,” Trump said during his own appearance in Davos, addressing the prime minister directly. “Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”
A day earlier, Trump posted an image on Truth Social showing Canada and Greenland draped in the American flag, an artificial image that added to unease north of the border amid his repeated comments about annexation and trade leverage.
The exchange highlighted widening tensions as Canada United States Mexico Agreement reviews approach later this year.
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In Canada, reaction to the Davos confrontation has been complex. While many welcomed Carney firm tone, others worry about the potential economic fallout.
Stephenson noted that Canadians whose livelihoods depend on cross border trade may feel differently.
“If you are going to be personally impacted by CUSMA, you might be very upset and fearful about what might happen next,” she said.
On the streets of Toronto, retired race walker Ann Peel said Trump rhetoric left her deeply uneasy. “He is a big bully,” Peel said. “Carney speech was powerful because it expressed a completely different world view.”
Despite the tough language, Carney government has continued efforts to stabilise relations with Washington. In recent weeks, Canada dropped a proposed digital services tax to restart trade talks and issued an apology over a government advertisement that angered Trump, according to the Associated Press.
At the same time, Carney has pursued trade diversification abroad, finalising a trade deal with China and seeking new partnerships in the Middle East in a bid to reduce Canada reliance on the United States.
As talks with Washington continue and CUSMA faces review, analysts say Carney balancing act between defiance and pragmatism will define Canada economic and diplomatic path in the months ahead.