Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers has publicly commended Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney for what he described as a "stunning speech" delivered at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Chalmers emphasised that Carney's powerful denunciation of former US President Donald Trump's assault on the global rules-based order is being "widely shared and discussed" within the Australian government.
Carney's Stark Warning at Davos
During the annual gathering in Davos, Mark Carney issued a stark warning to world leaders, stating that the international community is currently experiencing "a rupture, not a transition." He urged a move away from illusions, highlighting a "brutal reality where geopolitics among the great powers is not subject to any constraints." Carney specifically called for an end to invoking the rules-based international order as if it still functions effectively, instead labelling it "a system of intensifying great power rivalry where the most powerful pursue their interests using economic integration as coercion."
Chalmers' Endorsement and Analysis
In an interview with ABC radio, Treasurer Jim Chalmers elaborated on his praise for Carney's address. "I thought it was very impactful, very thoughtful; certainly widely shared and discussed in our government," Chalmers stated. He pinpointed the core message, noting, "The powerful point that he made is that a lot of the old certainties are breaking down. We see that in escalating trade tensions, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, discussions in Nato, you see it in behaviour on markets."
Chalmers further connected this to Australia's strategic interests, asserting, "So for Australia, and no doubt for Canada, the point that Prime Minister Carney was making is that our interests are best served by cooperation and by managing our differences within international law and international institutions." This endorsement underscores a significant alignment in perspective between Australian and Canadian leadership on global diplomatic challenges.
Turnbull's Call for Australian Leadership
Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who had his own notable confrontations with Donald Trump during his tenure, has echoed Chalmers' sentiments and called for current Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to deliver a similar message. Turnbull argued, "Anthony Albanese should give the same speech because basically the message is: we will not be bullied, we will maintain our sovereignty. And as a middle power, we will work with other middle powers to stand up to the bully."
Reflecting on his experiences, Turnbull advised, "If you are integrated with the United States economically or you are dependent on the United States, Trump will use that as a vulnerability and exploit it." He recalled his own stance during a tense phone call with Trump early in the latter's first term, asserting, "I took the view when I was PM, as you know, to stand up to Trump, and it worked very well. The only way to deal with bullies is to stand up to them."
Broader Implications for Middle Powers
The discussion sparked by Carney's speech highlights growing concerns among middle powers like Australia and Canada about the stability of the international order. With escalating geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties, leaders are increasingly advocating for strengthened cooperation among nations to uphold sovereignty and manage disputes through established legal and institutional frameworks. This dialogue at Davos reflects a pivotal moment in global diplomacy, as traditional alliances are tested and new strategies for navigating great power rivalries are sought.
