Canada's Prime MinisterMark Carneywarned of a "rupture" with the United States over tariffs and the sovereignty of Greenland, and said his country is forging new international alliances.
"We are in the midst of a rupture, not a transition," Carney told the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, on Jan. 20. "Great powers have begun using economic integration as weapons."
U.S. PresidentDonald Trumpsaid in a Jan. 21 speech at the same conference that Carney was ungrateful for U.S. protection of Canada.
Updates from Davos:Trump says US won't use force to take Greenland, calls for negotiations
Carney's speech came as Canada is mired in unresolved trade talks with the United States, afterTrump imposed tariffson the northern neighbor. His comments also coincided withTrump demanding U.S. control of Greenland, despite the island being an autonomous part of ally Denmark.
Greenlanders march in defiance of Trump's efforts to claim the island
Carney never mentioned Trump in his 15-minute speech. But Canada was among the first countries to "hear the wakeup call" of Trump's tariffs, Carney said.
"You cannot live within the lie of mutual benefit through integration when integration becomes the source of your subordination," Carney said.
Meanwhile, Carney said his country has reached 12 trade and security deals on four continents in six months, with new strategic partnerships with China and Qatar.
"We are rapidly diversifying abroad," Carney said.
Trump said Greenland would be a key part of a "golden dome" of defense against enemy missiles that would protect Canada, too.
"Canada gets a lot of freebies from us, by the way. They should grateful also, but they're not," Trump said. "I watched your prime minister yesterday. He wasn't so grateful. But they should be grateful to us, Canada. Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements."
Carney has clashed with Trump at the White House and over social media as the two leaders negotiate a new trade deal.
Trump infuriated Canadians after returning to office by saying the country shouldbecome the 51st state. Trump called Carney's predecessor,Justin Trudeau, "governor."
Carney apologized Nov. 1 fora provincial ad that ran during the World Seriesbaseball championship that prompted Trump to halt trade negotiations temporarily. The ad portrayed former President Ronald Reagan as critical of tariffs, whileTrump has criticized it as "FAKE."
Canada remains a supporter of Ukraine in its war with Russia and stands "fully behind" Denmark and Greenland in determining the island's future, Carney said to applause. He assured "unwavering" commitment to help defend NATO countries from attack.
In contrast, Trump has halted financial contributions to Ukraine and threatened to impose additional 10% tariffs on eight European countries, to pressure them to agree to U.S. control of Greenland. Trump has insisted on control of Greenland for security against Russia and China because of its strategic location next to Arctic sea lanes.
Canada is in the midst of doubling its defense spending over the next decade, Carney said. The country is making unprecedented investments in over-the-horizon radar, submarines and aircraft to defend the Arctic, he said.
"We understand that this rupture calls for more than adaptation," Carney said. "Nostalgia is not a strategy."
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Canada's Carney warns of 'rupture' with US in Davos speech
