Carney Denies Walking Back Davos Speech in Phone Call with Trump
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney firmly stands by his remarks made at Davos, expressing his unwavering stance in a recent phone conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump. This assertion comes after claims from a Trump official suggested that Carney had aggressively recanted parts of his speech during their discussion.
– Clear Confirmation: “To be absolutely clear, and I said this to the president, I meant what I said in Davos,” Carney stated on Tuesday, reinforcing his commitment to his original message.
– Trump Official’s Statements: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent claimed on Fox News that Carney was “very aggressively walking back” some of his assertions following their conversation.
– Content of the Davos Speech: Carney garnered international attention with his speech, wherein he subtly critiqued President Trump for contributing to a “rupture” in the postwar global order. Trump responded a day later by emphasizing that “Canada lives because of the United States.”
– Details of the Phone Call: During the call, which Carney clarified was initiated by Trump, the two leaders discussed a range of topics, including:
– The global situations in Ukraine and Venezuela
– Arctic security
– Canada’s recent trade agreement with China
– The impending review of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA)
– Trade Relations: Carney highlighted that Canada was the first nation to respond to shifts in U.S. trade policy and emphasized that the president understood Canada’s position.
– USMCA Review Timeline: In discussions within the House of Commons, Carney announced that the review of the USMCA would commence in a few weeks. He remarked, The world has changed. Washington has changed. There’s almost nothing normal in the United States. That’s the truth.
– Criticism from Bessent: Bessent expressed skepticism regarding Canada’s negotiations with China, stating he was not sure what the Prime Minister was thinking with his Davos speech. He asserted that Canada’s economy heavily relies on the U.S., saying, “There’s much more north-south trade than there could ever be east-west trade.” He added that Carney should prioritize Canadian interests instead of pursuing a “globalist agenda.”
– Tariff Threats: Following Trump’s threats of imposing 100% tariffs on Canadian goods if China receives preferential treatment, Carney reassured that Canada is not pursuing a free-trade deal with China, a notion he insisted has “never” been part of their plans.
– Negotiation Perspective: Carney reflected on Trump’s tariff threats as a possible negotiation strategy before the USMCA talks, stating, The president is a strong negotiator, and I think some of these comments and positioning should be viewed in the broader context of that.
As the geopolitical landscape shifts and tensions rise, the dialogue between Canada and the U.S. will continue to be crucial in shaping trade agreements and diplomatic relations.