The taunts and insults directed at Canada by the U.S. president have become the soundtrack to the story of weakening relations between the two countries.
Earlier this month, in an interview with Fox News, he said, 鈥淚 deal with every country, indirectly or directly. One of the nastiest countries to deal with is Canada.鈥�
Nasty? That鈥檚 not the word that typically comes to mind when one thinks of Canada.
However, the U.S. president has been taking verbal shots at Canada. His latest comment is not the first time he has made digs about our country, nor will it be the last. Since the end of November, relations between the United States and Canada 鈥� two countries with historically strong ties 鈥� have been declining.
While the comments made by the U.S. president get a lot of coverage, his opinions should not be seen as the last word.
The world does not see Canada through American eyes. Others have much more positive things to say about this country.
When Prime Minister Mark Carney was in France earlier this month, he described Canada as 鈥渢he most European of non-European countries.鈥�
鈥淐anada is a reliable, trustworthy and strong partner for France,鈥� he added on March 17.
Comparing Canada to European countries may sound odd since Canada is not part of Europe and has a culture and history unlike that of any country in Europe.
However, the quality of life, tolerance for others, strength of democracy and strong ties of international friendship 鈥� all part of Canada 鈥� are also valued in Europe. Geography aside, Canada has plenty in common with its European allies.
Former Conservative Party of Canada leader Erin O鈥橳oole has spoken of the way Canadians view nationalism.
鈥淐anadians are proud of our country despite its tragic history and present imperfections,鈥� he said in 2021.
鈥淐anada is a great country, one of the hopes of the world,鈥� former New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton said in a letter to Canadians, released after his death in 2011.
鈥淐onsider that we can be a better, fairer, more equal country by working together. Don鈥檛 let them tell you it can鈥檛 be done.鈥�
Actor Mike Myers, in his 2016 book, Canada, also had praise for this country. 鈥淐anada may not have put a man on the moon, but it鈥檚 been awfully nice to the man on earth,鈥� he said in this book.
If those statements, from Canadians speaking in praise of Canada, seem self-congratulatory, then consider statements from international leaders, speaking about the importance of their ties with Canada.
In September 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, addressing Canada鈥檚 Parliament, described Canada as 鈥渁 pillar of global democracy.鈥�
In March 2025, French President Emmanuel Macron described Canada as a 鈥渦nique friend鈥� to France, and said it is important for Canada to strengthen ties with reliable allies.
Around the same time, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer spoke of the strong ties between his country and Canada.
鈥淭he relationship between our two countries has always been strong. Two sovereign allies, so much in common 鈥� a shared history, shared values, shared king,鈥� he said during Carney鈥檚 recent European visit.
The recent comments by the U.S. president should not trump the comments from Canadians and global leaders, recognizing Canada鈥檚 value in the world.
The U.S. president may describe Canada as 鈥渘asty,鈥� but other world leaders would disagree.
John Arendt is the editor of the Summerland Review.
