The steps Canada has taken recently to strengthen its position on the global stage are quite interesting. Former Bank of England Governor and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said in a Davos speech that the world is no longer what it used to be. He clearly stated that the peace and stability that existed under American leadership is fading.
This speech was not just a statement but a message that Canada is seeking new friends and allies to advance its interests. Carney did not say that America is doing wrong, but the way he spoke made it clear that America is no longer a reliable ally.
Recent American behavior, such as threats over Greenland and the imposition of tariffs on European countries, has become a reality for other countries around the world. This is why European and Canadian leadership are accepting the fact that old friendships and old international sanctions no longer matter.
“When we only talk to one powerful country, we are talking to weakness,” Carney said. This means that countries will have to find a new way to work together for their own interests, rather than relying on the United States for everything. He presented it as a “third way” in which middle powers can come together and exert their influence.
European countries are thinking the same way. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said that the world is now run by the principle of power, whether economic, military, or technological. She feels that Europe will need new sources of power. French President Emmanuel Macron also said the world is moving towards a “rule-free” system, in which international institutions have become weak or ineffective at solving old problems.
Finnish President Alexander Stubb took a different approach. According to him, the United States no longer considers Europe as important as it used to. And he sees them as an ideological enemy, in a way, because some circles in the US oppose global cooperation and international law.
The situation in the UK is complicated. Labour Party leader Keir Starmer still considers relations with the US important, but he is also starting to understand that there are benefits to working together with other countries. He can learn from Mark Carney’s message that relying on the US alone is not enough to increase his power.
An important aspect of Carney’s speech was the need to understand the balance of power in the world. If a country only thinks in its own interests and ignores others, its influence at the global level will be limited. He stressed that Canada and other middle-power countries must cooperate to maintain their positions in global politics.
At present, European countries, especially Germany, France, and Finland, are considering strengthening their position even without the US. They are seeing that if they work together, they can have more influence in global affairs. This alliance will help it to operate without pressure from any major power.
Canada’s strategy also aims to maintain its economic and political independence. By strengthening relations with middle-power countries, it can better protect its interests on the global stage. Carney also made it clear that it is dangerous to dwell on the memory of the old world, because the situation has changed and new principles must be considered.
All this shows that new methods and new alliances are necessary to maintain balance in world politics. Canada, European countries, and other middle-power countries are now forging their own paths. They are not completely dependent on the United States and are taking practical steps to strengthen their position.
In conclusion, this global strategy of Canada is not only important for its survival, but also a lesson for other middle-power countries: it is necessary to strengthen their power in global relations.
