‘Middle powers have a choice’: Canada's Carney calls for ‘third path’ beyond US

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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney used a visit to Ireland on Saturday to reinforce his push for closer ties with Europe, arguing that medium-sized nations should work together rather than compete for favour with the United States ahead of next week’s G7 summit.Speaking at Trinity College in Dublin, Carney said Canada and the European Union together possess significant economic, military and demographic strength. He pointed out that their combined population is more than double that of the United States, while their economies are of a similar size and their collective defence spending exceeds that of China.He argued that countries outside the ranks of the world’s biggest powers could increase their influence through cooperation with like-minded partners.“In a world of great power rivalry, middle powers have a choice — to compete for favor or to combine to create a third path with impact,” Carney said.The remarks echoed comments he made earlier this year at the World Economic Forum in Davos, where he criticised coercive behaviour by major powers and warned that the post-war rules-based international order was under strain.Earlier on Saturday, Carney met Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin in Dublin, following talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on Friday.

The meetings come ahead of the G7 summit, which begins on Monday in France.Carney described Canada and Europe as a “force for good — because we safeguard the values of human rights, dignity, and pluralism that our people hold dear.” He said the two partners together form one of the world’s largest economic, cultural, technological, financial and military blocs.“The new world order will be built starting with Europe,” Carney said during a joint press conference with Martin.

“Canada is the most European of non-European countries. We are transforming our cooperation with Europe.”Canada has deepened its engagement with Europe in recent years. In February, it became the first non-European member of the EU’s SAFE defence procurement mechanism. Carney, who was making his ninth visit to Europe since becoming prime minister 15 months ago, also pointed to Canada’s 56 critical minerals partnerships across more than 10 countries, most of them in Europe.Despite his emphasis on Europe, Carney said the United States remains committed to the core framework of the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).“The US has been clear. They don’t want to change the fundamental architecture,” Carney said.His comments came amid continuing trade tensions between Ottawa and Washington. US President Donald Trump has suggested he may not renew the trade pact during its scheduled review process, although Carney noted that roughly 85% of Canadian exports to the US currently remain tariff-free under the agreement.