Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney delivered a stark assessment of the international system during his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, declaring that the world is experiencing a fundamental rupture rather than a transitional phase. Speaking before U.S. President Donald Trump’s scheduled appearance, Carney characterized the current global environment as one defined by intensifying great power competition and the deterioration of rules-based governance.
The Prime Minister, who entered Canadian politics last year, reiterated his consistent warning that the world cannot return to the pre-Trump era of international relations. While not explicitly naming the American president, Carney’s analysis clearly addressed the transformative impact of Trump’s policies on global affairs.
Carney acknowledged Canada’s historical benefits from American-led hegemony, which previously provided public goods including secure maritime routes, financial stability, collective security frameworks, and dispute resolution mechanisms. However, he emphasized that a new reality has emerged where powerful nations increasingly utilize economic integration as tools of coercion rather than cooperation.
In a particularly striking metaphor, Carney warned that middle powers like Canada must collaborate effectively or risk becoming ‘on the menu’ in great power competitions. He challenged these nations to move beyond simply building defensive walls and instead pursue more ambitious collective strategies.
The address gained additional significance following reports from Canada’s Globe and Mail newspaper revealing that Canadian military planners have developed contingency models for a potential U.S. invasion. According to anonymous senior officials, these plans involve insurgency-style tactics similar to those used against Soviet and American forces in Afghanistan.
This military planning context follows concerning rhetoric from President Trump, who has repeatedly referred to Canada as a potential 51st state and recently shared a social media image depicting both Canada and Venezuela under the American flag. The Davos meeting has been further overshadowed by Trump’s threats to enforce U.S. control over Greenland, prompting Carney to affirm Canada’s support for Greenland and Denmark’s right to self-determination.