Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has firmly dismissed claims from U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent that he softened his criticism of the United States during a recent private call with President Donald Trump, escalating an already tense diplomatic exchange between Ottawa and Washington.
Speaking to reporters in Ottawa on Tuesday, Carney rejected assertions that he reversed or diluted comments made earlier this month at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he warned that shifts in U.S. policy were disrupting the global economic balance. “I did not walk anything back,” Carney said, emphasizing that his remarks at the international forum reflected his genuine views.
The dispute follows comments made by Bessent during an interview, in which the Treasury secretary claimed Carney had attempted to distance himself from his Davos speech while speaking with Trump. Bessent said the Canadian leader acknowledged that his remarks had been “unfortunate,” suggesting a softer tone behind closed doors.
Carney flatly contradicted that account, stating that he explicitly reaffirmed his Davos position during the call. He explained that his discussion with Trump extended beyond rhetoric and focused on evolving U.S. trade policies and Canada’s response to them. According to Carney, Canada had anticipated the policy shift early and adjusted its strategy accordingly, a position he said the U.S. president understood.
Although Carney did not mention Trump by name in Davos, his message was clear. He urged countries with mid-sized economies to stop accommodating American dominance for the sake of convenience and instead work collectively to protect their political and economic interests.
The conflicting descriptions of the phone call underscore broader friction between the two governments, particularly over trade, economic leadership, and Washington’s growing influence on global institutions. While officials on both sides have avoided signaling an immediate diplomatic rupture, the public disagreement highlights the challenges facing the bilateral relationship as global economic alignments continue to shift.
For now, Carney has made clear that his Davos message stands unchanged-publicly and privately.
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