GOP Lawmakers Urge Canada Not to Overreact After Trump–Carney Exchange at Davos

Several Republican members of the U.S. Congress urged Canadian leaders this week not to overreact to a sharp exchange between U.S. President Donald Trump and Canadian-born banker and former central banker Mark Carney at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

What Happened

Carney, who served as governor of the Bank of Canada and later the Bank of England, warned in a Davos speech that the global rules-based order is under strain. Though he did not name the U.S. president, many attendees interpreted his remarks as a critique of the Trump administration. Trump responded the following day, saying, among other remarks, that "Canada lives because of us" and that Carney should be "so grateful." The exchange drew attention and some hand-wringing on both sides of the border.

Republican Calls for Calm

Several House Republicans urged de-escalation and emphasized the deep, practical ties between the United States and Canada. Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) called the spat "just a blip," saying the two countries' shared values and economic links run deep. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.), who has sometimes clashed with the president, said the U.S. should not "respond to every single comment he makes," and reiterated that Canada is an important ally.

Rep. John Moolenaar (R-Mich.), chair of the House Select Committee on China, described Carney's remarks as "unfortunate" but pointed to areas for collaboration—especially on critical minerals and rare earths—that could reduce Western dependence on China.

Mixed Reactions—and Warnings

Some Republicans also voiced discomfort with the president's tone. Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) said Trump "disrupts the status quo" in ways that can unsettle other leaders and urged that strength be paired with diplomacy.

By contrast, Democrats warned the rhetoric could have longer-term consequences. Rep. Greg Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said that needlessly picking fights with Canada is "unprecedented" and could undermine intelligence-sharing and other cooperation the U.S. relies on for national security.

Context And Aftermath

Tensions between Washington and Ottawa have surfaced in recent years over tariffs, trade disputes and provocative rhetoric—Trump has at times referred to Canada jokingly as the "51st state" and posted a map image online that superimposed a U.S. flag over Canada and nearby territories, a move Ontario Premier Doug Ford called "unacceptable." Ford and other Canadian leaders urged unity in response to perceived slights and called for clear-eyed diplomacy.

The White House also signaled outreach: a U.S. official told CNBC the administration had invited Canada to participate in an initiative described internally as the "Golden Dome" project, should Ottawa choose to contribute financially. Separately, The Globe and Mail reported that some Canadian officials have conducted contingency planning exercises—modeling hypothetical scenarios—while stressing such outcomes are considered unlikely.

Quote: "The relationship is inseparable," Rep. Joe Wilson said. "We may have disagreement, but again, the people of Canada and the people of the United States have so much in common... this is just a blip."

Overall, lawmakers from both parties signaled that, despite pointed rhetoric, the practical U.S.-Canada partnership—spanning trade, security and supply chains—remains strong, while urging cooler heads and continued diplomacy.