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At the World Economic Forum in Davos, President Trump made dismissive remarks about Canada, claiming it “lives because of the United States” and should be more grateful, framing U.S. protection—such as a proposed “Golden Dome” defense system—as something Canada benefits from without appreciation. His tone was widely seen as patronizing and transactional.

The comments prompted sharp contrast with Canadian leader Mark Carney, who delivered a forceful speech arguing that the so-called “rules-based international order” is eroding and that smaller and middle powers cannot rely on compliance or deference to great powers for security. Carney warned that great-power transactionalism undermines alliances and forces countries to rebuild sovereignty through diversification and resilience rather than trust in U.S.-led structures.

Geopolitical analyst Patrick Henningsen interpreted Carney’s remarks as a turning point: an acknowledgment that NATO members and Western allies, without unquestioned U.S. backing, are effectively “middle powers.” He argued that Europe in particular is weak without U.S. military and economic dominance and now faces a choice—either deepen subordination to Washington or seek new blocs and partnerships, increasingly looking east toward China and Eurasia for energy, trade, and stability.

The discussion highlighted growing “buyer’s remorse” in Europe and Canada over post-2014 policies following Ukraine and NATO expansion, especially as Trump’s second-term approach replaces alliance management with overt leverage and demands. Carney openly signaled Canada’s move to diversify trade and diplomatic ties—especially with China and other partners—to reduce dependence on the U.S.

Overall, the exchange framed Davos as a moment exposing fractures in Western unity, the decline of unquestioned U.S. hegemony, and the emergence of a more fragmented, multipolar world in which allies hedge, diversify, and prepare for pressure rather than protection.