Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers has praised Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney's 'stunning speech' at the World Economic Forum in Davos, describing it as widely discussed within the government. Carney's address denounced US President Donald Trump's assault on the global rules-based order, calling for recognition of a 'brutal reality' of great power rivalry.
Speaking before Trump's backdown on threats to take control of Greenland, Carney told leaders: 'Stop invoking rules-based international order as though it still functions as advertised. Call it what it is: a system of intensifying great power rivalry where the most powerful pursue their interests using economic integration as coercion.'
Chalmers told ABC radio on Thursday that Carney's speech was 'very impactful, very thoughtful; certainly widely shared and discussed in our government.' He added that the speech highlighted how 'old certainties are breaking down' amid trade tensions, the Ukraine war, and NATO discussions.
Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull also praised Carney's comments, calling on current PM Anthony Albanese to deliver a similar message. Turnbull said: 'Anthony Albanese should give the same speech because basically the message is: we will not be bullied, we will maintain our sovereignty.'
Turnbull, who had tense interactions with Trump during his first term, warned that economic integration with the US under Trump creates vulnerability. He cited his own experience of standing up to Trump over a refugee resettlement deal, saying 'it worked very well.'
