Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has dismissed President Trump’s claim that “Canada lives because of the United States.”

“Canada and the United States have built a remarkable partnership in the economy, in security, and in a rich cultural exchange,” Carney stated on Thursday while speaking at the Plains of Abraham in Québec during a cabinet retreat.

“But Canada doesn’t ‘live because of the United States’,” he said, referencing Trump’s comment. “Canada thrives because we are Canadian. We are masters in our own house. This is our country. This is our future. The choice is ours.”

In response to a request for comment, the White House referred to Trump’s Truth Social post.

On Thursday, Trump issued an open letter to Carney notifying him that Canada’s invitation to join the Board of Peace — a U.S.-led council responsible for managing Gaza’s post-war future — had been revoked.

“Please let this Letter serve to represent that the Board of Peace is withdrawing its invitation to you regarding Canada’s joining, what will be, the most prestigious Board of Leaders ever assembled, at any time. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

The board was inaugurated in Davos, Switzerland, on Thursday, though Carney had already departed, according to reports.

Tensions between Carney and Trump escalated as world leaders gathered in Davos for the annual World Economic Forum. Both leaders directed criticisms at each other in their respective speeches.

During his address on Tuesday, Carney avoided naming Trump directly, but stated that the “rules-based order is fading,” in reference to the U.S.

He acknowledged that there were benefits to U.S. leadership on the world stage, but portrayed the entire concept of a rules-based international order as a falsehood that is actively collapsing. Additionally, in his address, Carney encouraged middle powers, like Canada, to assert themselves and seize the opportunity to “build a new order that embodies our values.”

When delivering his address on Wednesday, Trump did not hesitate to target Carney. He said that Canada “should be grateful” because the country receives “a lot of freebies” from the U.S., though he did not specify what he meant.

“I watched your prime minister yesterday, he wasn’t so grateful,” Trump said. “Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”

The friction between the two leaders underscored a growing rift. In his address to a cabinet retreat, Carney framed it as a moment for Canada to assert its own power and build a future based on its own values.

A request for comment was made to Carney’s office.