The world order is shaking — the West is facing an unsettling truth. U.S. President Trump is undermining the international order through tariffs, power politics, and the acquisition of Greenland.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who took office in March 2025, has long advocated for international cooperation. In his speech at the Davos Forum on the 21st, he provided a calm analysis of the new reality and countered it. The German newspaper Bild commented that his tone would shake the entire West.

In general, Carney's strategy combines value-oriented realism with pragmatic diplomatic methods to deal with the fragmented world order. Carney did not directly mention Trump's name but focused mainly on the future, outlining Canada's cooperation strategy with new allies (such as China).

"We are actively accepting the current state of the world rather than waiting for a world we want," said Carney. Giving up fantasies is difficult, but necessary: "Nostalgia is not a strategy."

Canadian Prime Minister's speech

Here are nine key points from Carney's speech at this year's Davos Forum:

1, The global order is undergoing profound changes. The old rule-based international order is gradually disintegrating, showing a pattern where the strong dominate and the weak passively bear the consequences. This shift is not a smooth transition but a sharp rupture. Crises in multiple areas such as finance and health over the past two decades have exposed the risks of "extreme global integration."

2, The West has long been "living in lies." The "rule-based world order" the West has carefully crafted for decades is an illusion. The strong often exceed the rules according to their own interests, and there are double standards in the implementation of trade rules and the application of international law. Countries choose to deliberately avoid problems. The U.S. hegemony once relied on this fictitious order to provide some public goods, becoming an important reason for countries' compromises, but now such compromises are no longer sustainable.

Outside the Davos Forum

3, Major powers have weaponized "economic integration," making tariffs, financial infrastructure, and supply chains tools of competition. Multilateral institutions such as the WTO and the United Nations have been severely weakened. Many countries, in pursuit of their own security, are seeking strategic autonomy in areas such as energy, food, and critical minerals.

4, A self-reliant "fortress-style" development model is unsustainable and will only make countries poorer, more vulnerable, and less sustainable. Cooperation can create added value, and collective investment in resilience is more cost-effective.

5, Canada has established a "value-based realism" strategy, upholding core values such as sovereignty and human rights while adopting a pragmatic approach to international realities. Canada no longer relies solely on the appeal of values but focuses on enhancing its own strength to increase its voice.

Davos Forum main hall

6, Canada is building strength from both domestic and international aspects. Domestically, it is optimizing its development foundation through tax cuts, elimination of inter-provincial trade barriers, and increased investments in key areas, and plans to double defense spending by 2030. Internationally, it is actively promoting cooperation diversification, signing multiple trade and security agreements in the past six months, and establishing or deepening partnerships with many countries. In addition, Canada is also promoting the establishment of international alliances in various fields, seeking to build a broader network of cooperation.

7, Under the current system, the sovereignty of middle powers is almost an illusion. When facing hegemonic countries alone, they are at a disadvantage. Only through unity can they open up influential development paths.

Trump's account posted a picture of annexing Greenland

8, Middle powers "living in the truth" requires three essentials: face reality, be consistent in words and deeds, and reduce coercive leverage. At the same time, they should strengthen their domestic economy and international diversification to gain the right to uphold principles.

9, Canada has multiple advantages including resources, talent, capital, and values. It advocates breaking the old order and calls on middle powers to work together to build a better, stronger, and fairer new future.

Original: toutiao.com/article/7597794496474087990/

Statement: This article represents the views of the author himself.