Carney–Trump Davos clash fuels Alberta bebate on sovereignty and Canada–U.S. trade

January 22, 2026

RED FM News Desk

Prime Minister Mark Carney’s remarks at the World Economic Forum in Davos—and the sharp response from U.S. President Donald Trump—are intensifying political discussion in Alberta around national sovereignty, trade dependence and Canada’s relationship with its closest ally.

In his keynote speech at the 2026 Davos summit, Carney argued that the global landscape has fundamentally changed, warning that traditional ideas about security, alliances and economic integration can no longer be taken for granted.

“The old order is not coming back,” Carney told delegates, urging countries like Canada to work more closely with other mid-sized powers. “If we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu,” he said.

Although Carney avoided naming Trump directly, his comments were widely seen as a critique of the current U.S. administration’s hard-line approach to tariffs, trade disputes and territorial rhetoric—particularly renewed talk about Greenland and repeated references to Canada as a potential “51st state.”

Trump fired back during his own appearance at the forum, openly criticizing Carney while outlining plans for a new U.S. missile defence initiative.

“We’re building a ‘Golden Dome’ that, by its very nature, is going to be defending Canada,” Trump said. He went on to claim that Canada benefits disproportionately from its relationship with the United States.

“Canada gets a lot of freebies from us. They should be grateful—but they’re not,” Trump said. “I watched your prime minister yesterday; he wasn’t so grateful.”

Trump escalated his remarks further, saying, “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”

The public exchange has resonated strongly in Alberta, where issues surrounding access to U.S. markets, economic vulnerability and national unity are already politically sensitive. For many in the province, the Davos clash has underscored long-standing anxieties about how Canada should protect its interests amid an increasingly assertive United States.