'I Meant What I Said In Davos': Canada PM Carney Denies Softening Stance After Call With Trump

Last Updated:January 28, 2026, 08:54 IST

Mark Carney was responding to Bessent’s assertion on Fox News that he had softened his earlier comments made at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney (IMAGE: Reuters)

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday rejected claims that he had walked back his remarks on global power dynamics, following a recent conversation with US President Donald Trump, pushing back against comments made by US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

Speaking to reporters in Ottawa, Carney was responding to Bessent’s assertion on Fox News that he had softened his earlier comments made at the World Economic Forum in Davos during a phone call with Trump.

Asked whether he had rescinded any of his remarks, Carney replied: “No." “To be absolutely clear, and I said this to the president, I meant what I said in Davos," he said.

Carney said the discussion with Trump covered broader issues, including shifts in US trade policy, adding that Canada was the first country to recognise those changes and was responding accordingly. He said Trump had “understood" Canada’s position.

At Davos, Carney had urged middle powers to avoid accommodating the United States and instead work together to counter its growing political and economic influence.

“Middle powers must act together because if we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu," he said.

The remarks drew a standing ovation at the forum and garnered international attention, standing in contrast to Trump’s address at the same gathering.

Following Carney’s speech, Trump withdrew Canada’s invitation to participate in his proposed Gaza “Board of Peace".

Around the same time, Carney travelled to Switzerland after finalising a limited trade arrangement with China that allows a small number of Chinese electric vehicles to enter Canada at reduced tariffs, despite Ottawa previously joining Washington in imposing 100 per cent duties on such imports.

Trump initially welcomed the move, saying, “That’s OK, that’s what he should be doing," but later warned on social media that he would impose steep tariffs on Canadian exports “If Canada makes a deal with China."

Carney said Canada had no intention of pursuing a broader free trade agreement with China.

“I explained to him our arrangement with China," Carney said, referring to his conversation with Trump.

“I explained to him what we’re doing: 12 new deals on four continents in six months — he was impressed."

On Tuesday, Canada and India issued a joint statement on expanding trade in Canadian oil and natural gas. Carney is scheduled to visit India next month for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Carney also said Trump’s latest tariff warning should be seen in the context of broader negotiations ahead of a review of the Canada–US–Mexico trade pact.

“The president is a strong negotiator, and I think some of these comments and positioning should be viewed in the broader context of that," he said at a news conference.

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