Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has acknowledged that the “rules-based international order” was partially false, a narrative that countries upheld for decades despite knowing its limitations. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Carney stated that nations like Canada prospered under and promoted a system they understood was not entirely true. He noted that the strongest countries would exempt themselves when convenient, and trade rules were enforced asymmetrically, with international law applied unevenly depending on the parties involved.
Carney compared this compliance to a shopkeeper displaying a political sign they do not believe in, describing it as “living within a lie” to avoid trouble. However, he argued that this arrangement is no longer tenable, citing a new reality of “intensifying great power rivalry” where economic integration, tariffs, and financial infrastructure are used as “weapons” and “coercion.”
Carney’s comments echo those of Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who stated that global rules have been “thrown out the window” and replaced by a game of “might makes right.” Moscow has long criticized the Western-led order, arguing that it was used to impose rules on others while major powers ignored them. The statements come amid heightened tensions following a series of actions by the US, including strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and the pursuit of acquiring Greenland from Denmark.
European officials have expressed concerns about over-reliance on the US, with Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever urging European allies to choose between dignity and being a “miserable slave” in the face of Washington’s demands. The comments highlight the growing divide between nations and the evolving global landscape, where traditional alliances and rules are being challenged. As the international community navigates this shift, it remains to be seen how countries will adapt to the new reality and what implications this will have for global governance and cooperation.
