Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent speech at Davos has been described as a watershed moment in international relations, signaling a profound shift in the global order. Carney, a figure deeply embedded in the global establishment, openly declared that the world is experiencing a rupture rather than a transition, warning that the era of values-based alliances with the United States is over. His remarks received rare, widespread acclaim and have sparked intense debate among policymakers and scholars.

The speech highlighted how economic integration, once seen as a source of mutual benefit, is now being weaponized by great powers, particularly the United States, to exert leverage and control. This marks a departure from the post-Cold War optimism about globalization, as countries now grapple with the risks of dependency and the erosion of trust in longstanding alliances. Carney's analysis drew on the concept of 'weaponized interdependence,' illustrating how financial systems and supply chains have become tools of coercion.

The conversation around Carney's speech also explored the broader implications for middle powers like Canada and Europe, who may now seek to hedge their bets by diversifying partnerships or building independent capabilities. The moment at Davos is seen as a collective reckoning, where global elites acknowledged the end of an era and the uncertainties of what comes next. Carney's candor and the reactions it provoked suggest that the world is entering a new phase of geopolitical competition, with old assumptions about American leadership and the liberal order under serious strain.