Canadian Prime Minister Discusses Global Order and Middle Power Strategy at Davos
Qinbafrank posted on X. Canadian Prime Minister Carney delivered a significant speech at the Davos Forum, addressing the challenges faced by middle powers in the era of the Great Reset. He emphasized that the 'rules-based international order' is disintegrating, with powerful nations acting at will while weaker ones bear the consequences. Carney warned that if countries are not actively participating in global discussions, they risk being sidelined.
Carney described the current global situation as a 'rupture' rather than a 'transition,' asserting that the old order will not return. He criticized the past decades' order as a 'benevolent fiction,' where major powers like the United States provided public goods such as open trade routes and financial stability, but often exempted themselves from the rules. Now, he said, the world has entered an era of great power competition, echoing Thucydides' notion that 'the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must.'
The Prime Minister highlighted the weaponization of economic integration, where major powers use trade, finance, supply chains, and tariffs as tools of coercion rather than mutual cooperation. While globalization once brought prosperity, recent crises have exposed the risks of over-dependence, potentially leading to subordination. Carney urged nations to stop 'living within the lie' of believing in perpetual mutual benefit while ignoring economic pressures from powerful countries. He noted that institutions like the WTO, United Nations, and COP have weakened, with major powers even abandoning superficial adherence to rules.
Carney called for middle powers, such as Canada and Nordic countries, which collectively account for about 20% of global GDP, to unite. He stressed that these nations cannot face challenges alone, as bilateral negotiations from a weak position only lead to further weakness. He advocated for 'values-based realism,' upholding principles like human rights and sovereignty while being pragmatic, diversifying partnerships, and forming flexible alliances on specific issues rather than relying on a single hegemon or naive multilateralism. The goal is to rebuild sovereignty and resilience to withstand pressures, avoiding a 'world of fortresses' that is poorer and more vulnerable.
Regarding Canada's strategy, Carney outlined plans to strengthen domestic capabilities by accelerating a $1 trillion investment in AI, energy, and critical minerals, reducing taxes, and removing federal barriers to become an 'energy superpower.' He also proposed doubling defense spending by 2030 to reinforce Arctic sovereignty and NATO commitments. Additionally, Canada aims to diversify trade and partnerships, resetting relations with China, securing significant investments from Qatar, and expanding ties with India, ASEAN, Gulf, and Southern countries. Carney reaffirmed Canada's stance on supporting Ukraine, opposing coercive annexations, and upholding values like free speech.
