Canadian PM's Speech at Davos: More than a straw in the wind

[Sukla Sen]

[The speech below by the Canadian Prime Minister is clearly indicative of the gathering great disarray in the Western camp, till now led by America, that had come up in the wake of the victory of the Allies in WWII.

The man now in the driver's seat, Donald Trump, is operating like the proverbial bull in a china shop. He appears to be single-mindedly engaged in pulling the house down from under the banner of "Make America Great Again". By demolishing democracy at home and with his mulish drive for brutal supremacy abroad  -- over the erstwhile allies in particular.

Here's a brief remarkably perceptive recent piece on the unfolding scenario by a very well-known American Nobel laureate: <https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/trump-venezuela-new-era-of-imperialism-costs-for-everyone-by-joseph-e-stiglitz-2026-01>.

Finally, it bears mentioning that the current situation is perhaps best described as one where "the old is dying and the new cannot be born."

P.S.: An update:

I/II. Trump, for now, backs out from his tariff threat against NATO allies over his threatened move to grab Greenland!

But, mistake not, Trump remains Trump, nonetheless.

His ways of "deal-making" very much include issuing utterly disturbing threats -- mostly bluff but a few real. So, he keeps it always uncertain.

This time, the major NATO allies stood more or less firm.

So, he has eventually blinked.

<<The dollar was higher, gold softer and stocks on the rebound on Thursday after U.S. President Donald Trump dropped tariff threats and ruled out seizing Greenland from an ally by force.>>

<https://www.reuters.com/world/china/global-markets-wrapup-1-pix-2026-01-22/>

II. Megalomaniac Trump in the meanwhile has launched a new move to anoint himself as the global monarch, or sort of: <https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2026/1/21/trumps-board-of-peace-who-has-joined-who-hasnt-and-why>.

By unilaterally moving towards, in effect, displacing the UN by a (global) body permanently headed by him, aided by his handpicked ones including his son-in-law!

Mercifully, at least five (European) countries – France, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Slovenia – have till now outright refused to play ball.]

Key Points from Canadian Prime Minister Carney's Speech at Davos Yesterday

[Here's the complete speech: <https://x.com/i/status/2013688864972448138>.

The complete transcript is available here: <https://en.as.com/latest_news/transcript-of-canadian-prime-minister-mark-carneys-historic-speech-at-the-world-economic-forum-in-davos-f202601-n/>.

Fracture in the world order

The old rules-based international order is not transitioning smoothly but experiencing a rupture, where powerful states act with fewer constraints.

End of the traditional system

The post-World War II global system — including multilateral institutions and predictable cooperation — is fading and unlikely to return. 

Rules-based order was flawed but once useful

The previous system was never perfect — powerful countries often bent rules — but it still provided public goods like security, shipping lanes, dispute frameworks and a stable financial system. 

Great-power rivalry and coercion

Economic integration, tariffs, finance and supply chains are increasingly being used as coercive tools rather than mutual benefits. 

Warning to smaller and middle powers

Relying on compliance with strong powers for safety is no longer effective — “compliance will not buy safety.” 

Call to action for middle powers

Canada and other mid-sized countries to work together — “if we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu.” 

Strategic autonomy vs. isolation

Emphasized the need for countries to increase resilience and diversify economic and security ties — while warning that isolationism (“fortresses”) would be costly. 

Values-based new order

Proposed building a new global framework rooted in shared values: human rights, sustainable development, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.

Canada’s strengths and role

Highlighted Canada’s resources, educated workforce, pension capital and fiscal capacity as assets in shaping this new era. 

Support for allies

Reaffirmed Canada’s support for Greenland and Denmark, and NATO’s collective defense, as part of resisting coercive tactics by powerful states.

Peace Is Doable