Carney’s Concerns at Davos

During a speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney expressed his belief that the current global order is undergoing significant “disruption.” This comes amid increasing focus on President Donald Trump’s stance regarding U.S. control over Greenland, although Carney didn’t name the U.S. or Trump specifically.

He described the “international rules-based order” as becoming increasingly illusory, suggesting that major powers are increasingly disregarding established norms. Notably, these comments followed Carney’s recent declaration of a “new world order” where he commended “President Xi Jinping’s leadership” during a trip to China.

“Today, I will discuss what seems to be the collapse of the world order,” Carney stated to a gathering of leaders. He pointed out that we are reminded daily of living in a time marked by conflict among powerful nations, noting that the established rules seem to be eroding. “The strong do what they can, and the weak suffer,” he added.

“Let’s be honest here: This isn’t just a transition. We’re in the midst of a significant break from the past,” Carney emphasized.

In recent weeks, the Trump administration has heightened its focus on Greenland, claiming its importance to U.S. security interests.

Before Carney’s address, President Trump reportedly dismissed the idea of using military force to take Danish territory. He even shared an altered map on his social media platform, showing areas like Canada, Greenland, and Venezuela under U.S. control.

Carney remarked, “We always knew the story about an international rules-based order wasn’t entirely true. The powerful will act in their interests, and trade rules seem unevenly enforced depending on who you are.” He continued by acknowledging that this narrative has advantages, especially as U.S. dominance has historically helped maintain public goods, secure sea routes, and foster cooperation.

He concluded by stating, “This arrangement simply no longer functions.”

Carney stated at the forum that Canada continues to be “fully committed” to its NATO obligations and insisted that decisions regarding Greenland should be left to its people and the Kingdom of Denmark. Additionally, he mentioned a shared understanding with Xi regarding Greenland’s future.