At the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos, Swiss Alps, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a striking address asserting that the long-standing “rules-based international order” that defined global cooperation since World War II is effectively over, marking a significant shift in geopolitical dynamics. Carney described the world as undergoing a deep “rupture” rather than a smooth transition, arguing that economic integration and trade, once seen as tools of mutual benefit, are now being wielded as instruments of coercion by powerful states.
Carney told delegates that middle powers like Canada must adapt by building stronger alliances, diversifying economic partnerships, and asserting strategic autonomy to safeguard their interests in a more fragmented world. “When the rules no longer protect you, you must protect yourself,” he said, emphasizing that smaller nations cannot rely on the old system to guarantee security or prosperity.
The prime minister’s remarks come amid heightened tensions with the United States and follow contentious U.S. statements on issues including Greenland’s sovereignty, underscoring a growing rift with Canada’s traditional ally. Carney’s address, which received widespread international attention, urged countries to embrace a new multilateralism rooted in shared values rather than historical arrangements.
Observers say the speech reflects a broader reassessment of global order at a time of intensifying great-power competition and shifting alliances. news as reported.
