Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has told the World Economic Forum in Davos that the US-led global system of governance is enduring a 'rupture', defined by great power competition and a fading rules-based order. Speaking a day before US President Donald Trump is due to address the gathering, Carney said the old world order is 'not coming back'.
Carney, who did not name Trump directly, warned that middle powers like Canada can no longer hope that 'compliance will buy safety'. He urged such nations to act together, stating: 'If we're not at the table, we're on the menu.' The former central banker noted that Canada had benefited from American hegemony in the past, but that era was over.
Trump is expected to arrive in Davos for a confrontation with European leaders over his bid to seize Greenland from Denmark, a fellow Nato member. French President Emmanuel Macron vowed to stand up against 'bullies', while the EU promised an 'unflinching' response. Trump has threatened tariffs of up to 25% on eight European countries for backing Denmark.
Carney's address came after reports that Canada's military has developed a model response to a potential US invasion, centred on insurgency-style tactics. Trump has repeatedly referred to Canada as the 51st state and posted an image on social media showing Canada and Venezuela covered in the US flag.
