Mark Carney's speech at Davos : Shared by Kul Gautam

I was so happy to watch & read Canadian PM Mark Carney's speech at Davos today, gently but eloquently challenging DJT running roughshod over multilateralism and the rule-based world order. I hope more European leaders will muster the courage to confront DJT, as obviously their fawning & flattery are not producing the desired results. Among current world leaders, I only see Brazil's President Lula speaking forcefully and in a principled manner.

Carney's remarks reminded me of even bolder remarks by Pierre Elliott Trudeau (and Swedish PM Olof Palme) opposing the US War in Vietnam half a century ago. I hope all Canadians are proud of their PM, at least in this regard.

I was touched by PM Carney's reference to Czechoslovakia's President Vaclav Havel's touching remarks. I recall Havel's very touching remarks in another context at the 1990 World Summit for Children, which I quote extensively in my memoir, 'Global Citizen from Gulmi...(pages 146-148)

I was glad to hear Carney questioning DJT's proposal for the so-called "Board of Peace" as it is clearly a blatant effort to undermine and, in effect, replace the UN and its Charter and Security Council with DJT serving as its sole veto-wielding Chair. Hope other leaders who are invited to join, and donate $1 Billion for permanent membership, will see the Board as a dangerous vanity project of the "Dear Leader" for what it really is.

Kul

Summary

In this World Economic Forum address at Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney discusses the "rupture" of the old international rules-based order and outlines Canada’s new strategy of "value-based realism." He calls on middle powers to stop pretending the old system still functions and instead build new, pragmatic coalitions to withstand pressure from great power rivalry.

The End of the "Rules-Based Order"

• The "Green Grocer" Analogy: Carney uses Vaclav Havel’s analogy of a green grocer who displays a sign he doesn't believe in just to avoid trouble [04:00]. He argues that countries have long "placed the sign in the window" by participating in international rituals they knew were partially false [06:19].

• A World of Rupture: He states that we are not in a transition, but a "rupture" where integration is being weaponized via tariffs, supply chain exploitation, and financial coercion [06:37].

• The Choice for Middle Powers: Carney warns that if middle powers only negotiate bilaterally with hegemons, they negotiate from a position of subordination [14:43]. He urges them to "take the sign down" and name the reality of intensifying rivalry [15:35].

Canada’s Strategy: Value-Based Realism

• Domestic Strength: To reduce vulnerability to retaliation, Canada is fast-tracking $1 trillion in investments in energy, AI, and critical minerals, while doubling defense spending by the end of the decade [11:00].

• Variable Geometry: Instead of relying on stagnant multilateral institutions, Canada is pursuing "different coalitions for different issues" [12:00]. This includes:

  • China: A new strategic partnership with clear "guardrails" focused on mutually beneficial trade in energy and agriculture [11:50], [23:43].

  • The Arctic: Unwavering commitment to NATO and Arctic sovereignty, specifically supporting Greenland and Denmark [12:16].

  • The EU & TPP: Acting as a bridge to create a massive trading block of 1.5 billion people [13:18].

Response to Global Pressures

• Withstanding U.S. Pressure: Carney notes that despite considerable pressure and tariffs, the Canadian economy is growing at the second-fastest rate in the G7 [19:40].

• The Arctic Threat: He identifies Russia as a definitive threat in the Arctic and details Canada's military ramp-up, including new submarines, fighter jets, and over-the-horizon radar [26:33], [27:05].

• Middle East Peace: Canada has been invited to join a "board of peace" for Gaza. Carney expresses willingness to contribute financially but insists on a clear structure, the flow of humanitarian aid, and a path to a two-state solution [27:44], [28:46].