Carney’s Stark Warning for Middle Powers “Not at the Table? Then You’re on the Menu”

Mark Carney, Canada’s Prime Minister and former central banker, made waves at the 2026 World Economic Forum in Davos with a fiery address declaring the end of the US-led rules-based international order. Entering politics less than a year ago, Carney painted a grim picture of a world fractured by great power rivalries, where economic integration is weaponized as coercion. “The old order is not coming back. We should not mourn it. Nostalgia is not a strategy,” he asserted, emphasizing that the era of predictable global norms has given way to a “rupture, not a transition.” His speech, which received a resounding standing ovation from global elites, highlighted how nations like Canada once thrived under American hegemony, benefiting from open sea lanes, stable finances, and collective security. But now, Carney warned, “The strong do what they can, and the weak suffer what they must.”

Carney’s doctrine directly challenges the complacency of middle powers, urging them to reject appeasement. “Compliance will not buy safety,” he declared, cautioning against building “higher walls” in isolation. Instead, he called for collective action among nations that lack the market size, military might, or leverage of superpowers. “Middle powers must act together, because if we’re not at the table, we’re on the menu,” Carney said, evoking a vivid image of vulnerability in a dog-eat-dog geopolitical landscape. This message resonates amid escalating tensions, including US President Donald Trump’s aggressive foreign policy stances, which Carney analyzed without naming him directly. The PM reaffirmed his pre-election warnings that the world won’t revert to a pre-Trump normal, positioning Canada as a leader in adapting to this new reality of intensifying rivalries.

In a surprising geopolitical move, Carney also voiced strong support for Greenland and Denmark against Trump’s “irreversible” plan to annex the autonomous territory. “Canada stands firmly with Greenland and Denmark and fully supports their unique right to determine Greenland’s future,” he stated, underscoring Ottawa’s commitment to sovereignty in the face of US expansionism. This comes as Trump has repeatedly floated ideas of merging Canada into the US as the 51st state and recently shared social media imagery implying takeovers of Canada and Venezuela. Citing military analyses from sources like Canada’s Globe and Mail, Carney’s speech alluded to insurgency-style resistance tactics, reminiscent of Afghan fighters, should invasion scenarios unfold. The address not only critiques the dismantling of global problem-solving architecture but also outlines a proactive path for middle powers to forge alliances and innovate beyond isolationism.

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Carney’s vision for middle powers emphasizes ambition over retreat, advocating for collaborative frameworks to counter coercion. As great powers dictate terms unchecked, he argued, smaller nations must pool resources to ensure their voices are heard. This Davos moment marks a pivotal shift in global diplomacy, with Carney emerging as a vocal advocate for a multipolar world where middle players aren’t sidelined. The standing ovation it received signals widespread agreement among attendees that the time for bold, unified action is now.

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