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On Thursday, the U.S. President announced the withdrawal of a previous invitation for the Canadian Prime Minister to join the “Peace Council,” a decision that appears linked to a sharp disagreement and public exchange of words between the two leaders.
In a post on a social media platform, the President wrote, addressing the Prime Minister: “Please consider this message as a declaration that the Peace Council is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s membership in what will, at some point, be the most prestigious council of leaders ever.”
On Thursday, the Prime Minister responded to what he called the “provocative claim” at the Davos Forum, stating that “Canada thrives because we are Canadians.”
Speaking in Quebec City ahead of the new legislative session, the Prime Minister said: “Canada does not thrive because of the United States. Canada thrives because we are Canadians,” while acknowledging the “wonderful partnership” between the two countries.
The Prime Minister’s comments follow a speech he delivered at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday, which received warm applause, in which he argued that the U.S.-led rules-based global order is experiencing a “crack.”
In his speech, the Prime Minister also noted that “middle powers like Canada, which flourished during the era of American dominance, need to realize that a new reality has begun, and that compliance will not protect them from the aggression of major powers.”
The Prime Minister’s speech angered the U.S. President, who said in his remarks the following day: “I watched your Prime Minister yesterday. He wasn’t grateful enough.”
He added: “Canada thrives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”
On Thursday, the Prime Minister emphasized in his speech that Canada must serve as a “model in an age of democratic retreat.”
He said: “Canada cannot solve all the world’s problems, but we can show that another path is possible, and that the course of history is not destined to veer towards division and exclusion.”
Although the Prime Minister has not hesitated to criticize the U.S. President since taking office nine months ago, he leads a country that remains heavily dependent on trade with the United States, which accounts for the destination of over three-quarters of its exports.
The U.S. President also returned to the threat of annexing Canada, posting an image on social media this week of a map showing Canada, Greenland, and Cuba covered by the American flag.
The Prime Minister said Canada has no “illusions” about the precarious state of global relations, adding: “The world is more divided. Former alliances are being redefined, and in some cases, severed.”
The Prime Minister pointed to his government’s plans to increase defense spending, saying: “We must defend our sovereignty and secure our borders,” arguing that Canada “has a mandate to be a beacon and an example for a world adrift at sea.”
