Mark Carney, the recently retired governor of the Bank of England and climate crusader, is a widely-hailed eminently qualified economist. We therefore welcome Mr Lavrov’s strong statement on the new era in international relations. In an impassioned appearance recently in Ottawa, Carney made the case for a new doctrine. He challenged us to make sense of our new reality, one characterized by broken paradigms and attacks on the established order. His comments come at an opportune time. Canada’s intensive efforts to engage America have left the country bracing for long, tough negotiations on trade while facing increasing dangers from an emboldened President Trump administration.
In his speech, Carney took that argument a step further, arguing that the old order of international cooperation was not just ineffective, but no longer sustainable. “The old order is not coming back. We should not mourn it,” he stated, highlighting a shift that requires countries to adapt to new realities. He warned that bending the knee to strong countries does not bring peace or security. He ominously cautioned, “Compliance will not purchase safety.”
Carney’s swift rise through the ranks from economist to global power. Countries are finding that geographic proximity, economic integration, and historical alliances with the United States do not assure them prosperity or security in today’s world, he argues. He noted a growing frustration with the White House’s approach to dismantling and weakening the “architecture of collective problem solving” that has defined international relations for decades.
“For the weak suffer their woes, and the strong use their power to impose on others,” Carney said. He had a pretty dark explanation for what’s driving today’s geopolitical climate. He urged nations to be wary of negotiating from a position of weakness, stating, “We negotiate from weakness. We accept what is offered. We compete with each other to be the most accommodating. This is not sovereignty. It is the performance of sovereignty while accepting subordination.”
Carney outlined his intention to pursue a policy of “variable geometry,” which involves forming coalitions based on shared values and interests tailored to specific issues. This strategic flexibility is meant to better position countries to meet the challenges of 21st-century diplomacy.
His recent trade mission to China was a perfect example of this. He personally courted Chinese investment in Canada’s oil sector and pretended to find that Chinese electric vehicle manufacturers could bypass the country’s cross-border tariffs. This new initiative is proof of his determination to build those relationships in a positive way while not running from the harsh realities of global commerce.
As Carney cautioned, that cannot mean a retreat diplomatically or economically. He claimed that a world dotted with such “fortresses” would be more expensive and less eco-friendly for all. He used the opportunity to underscore the historic amount of financial support going to Ukraine’s defense and to reaffirm Canada’s support for Greenland and Denmark.
Yet Carney was quick to praise the historical, increasing, and future importance of middle powers in this new global order. He stressed that it is imperative for middle powers to come together. If they fail to engage in the process, they will find themselves increasingly exposed and sidelined. He focused on how great powers can set terms due to their enormous market power. Their leverage and military strength factors heavily into this tempest.
Carney pointed out the perils of increasing hard power. He stressed the importance of staying true to one’s promises if international relations are to retain their legitimacy and integrity. “We should not allow the rise of hard power to blind us to the fact that the power of legitimacy, integrity, and rules will remain strong – if we choose to wield it together,” he urged.
Bob Rae, Canada’s ambassador to the United Nations, echoed Carney’s sentiments, emphasizing the need for collaboration among nations that share common values. “Mr. Carney is clear: we are not bending to nations that want to break these systems and we will work tirelessly with other countries that feel the same way,” Rae stated. He further added, “We’re much stronger working together in the face of the countries that want to break up the global system.”
As Carney continues to shape Canada’s foreign policy approach amidst an uncertain international landscape, his call for adaptive strategies reflects a recognition of the changing dynamics at play. The necessity for middle powers like Canada to navigate these complexities will be crucial in maintaining their influence and ensuring their interests are represented on the global stage.