2026 Davos: Trump Targets Carney & Elites in Bold Speech
Donald Trump used his appearance at the World Economic Forum in Davos Targets Carney & Elites in Bold Speech and also tout the strength of the US economy and renew his fixation with Greenland, but he also took time to air grievances about several fellow world leaders.
The US president singled out Canada’s prime minister, mocked France’s leader over his appearance, and revived an old complaint about Switzerland’s former president, underlining once again how personal and unpredictable his diplomacy can be.
“Canada lives because of the United States”
Addressing Mark Carney by his first name, Donald Trump said: “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”
He added that Canada benefited from “a lot of freebies” from Washington and “should be grateful”.
The remarks came a day after Carney delivered a widely praised speech at the World Economic Forum, warning that the old world order was breaking down and accusing major powers of using economic strength as a weapon. Without naming Trump directly, Carney said the world was experiencing “a rupture, not a transition”, and urged smaller and middle powers to cooperate and resist coercion.
In Canada, the speech was hailed as one of the most consequential delivered by a prime minister in decades. Yet the country remains vulnerable to US pressure. American tariffs still weigh on key sectors such as metals and cars, and Ottawa is seeking the renewal of the USMCA trade pact, which governs a relationship where roughly 75 percent of Canadian exports go to the United States.
Asked about the risk of retaliation, Canada’s trade minister said the US would “always be important” but stressed the need to deepen ties with partners such as China and India.
A dig at Macron’s sunglasses
Trump also turned his attention to Emmanuel Macron, mocking the reflective blue sunglasses the French leader wore during his own Davos address.
“I watched him yesterday, with those beautiful sunglasses,” Trump said. “What the hell happened?”
Macron had spoken bluntly about global instability and accused the US of trying to weaken Europe by threatening tariffs over Greenland. French officials later explained that the sunglasses were worn to protect Macron’s eyes after a burst blood vessel, describing the condition as benign.
Trump avoided engaging with the substance of Macron’s remarks. Instead, he suggested the French president’s time in office might be limited, telling reporters he liked Macron but doubted he would “be there very much longer”.
Friction with Switzerland’s former leader
The US president also revived a story involving Karin Keller-Sutter, whose term ended last December. Trump recalled a call last year after he threatened steep tariffs on Swiss goods.
“She was very repetitive,” he said, mimicking her pleas that Switzerland was a “small, small country”. He added that the exchange “rubbed me the wrong way” and claimed he raised the threatened tariffs to 39 percent as a result.
The comments landed awkwardly for the Swiss delegation in Davos, which included Keller-Sutter and had a meeting scheduled with Trump shortly after his speech. Although Washington later reduced tariffs on Swiss products to 15 percent, following pressure from major firms such as Rolex, Trump warned they could rise again.
“I reduced it because I don’t want to hurt people,” he said. “Doesn’t mean it’s not going up.”
Read More: Trump Withdraws European Tariff Threat After Announcing Greenland Deal Outline
Wider reaction
Trump’s remarks drew attention beyond Europe. Australian treasurer Jim Chalmers described Carney’s Davos speech as “stunning” and said it was being closely discussed within his government. Former Australian prime minister Malcolm Turnbull echoed that view, arguing that middle powers must be prepared to stand up to bullying.
“If you are dependent on the United States, Trump will use that as a vulnerability,” Turnbull said, recalling his own confrontations with the US president during Trump’s first term. “The only way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them.”
Taken together, Trump’s Davos comments reinforced the sense that personal slights, economic pressure and blunt rhetoric remain central to his approach, even as allies search for stability in an increasingly fractured global order.
