Ahead of G7 summit, Carney calls for stronger alliance among ‘middle powers’

Days before G7 leaders gather in France, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called for closer collaboration among the world's “middle powers”, saying they have a critical role to play in navigating a rapidly changing global landscape.

Speaking on Saturday at the launch of the De Chastelain Public Lecture series at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, Carney told an audience that included Irish Prime Minister Micheal Martin that the international system is undergoing profound change and that countries such as Canada and Ireland must respond collectively.

Carney warns of a changing global order

According to Carney, the international landscape has reached a pivotal moment, with longstanding institutions and frameworks facing growing pressure.

“Ireland and Canada are navigating a global rupture, not a quiet transition,” Carney said.

“The post-Cold War world’s rules-based order is breaking down. Multilateral institutions have weakened. Economic integration, from which we have benefitted is being weaponised. The international trading system, which we’ve relied upon for decades, is under threat.”

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While Carney did not identify any specific countries as responsible for undermining the global order, his comments came amid ongoing tensions between Canada and the United States.

Canada-US tensions remain in focus

Relations between the two neighbours have become increasingly strained since Donald Trump returned to the White House for a second term.

Trump has repeatedly suggested that Canada should become the US’s “51st state”, including in a social media post on June 1, and has used tariffs in an effort to align Canada more closely with US priorities on trade and immigration.

Both leaders are expected to attend the G7 summit in Evian-les-Bains, France, from June 15 to 17.

Appeal for closer cooperation with Europe

Carney used his Dublin speech to encourage greater collaboration among countries he describes as “middle powers”, an idea that has found support among some G7 members, particularly within the European Union.

He argued that Canada, Ireland and Europe face growing security and economic challenges and should respond through closer cooperation.

“Canada, Ireland, and Europe are increasingly and more immediately vulnerable to once-distant threats. And I suggest that amidst this change — amidst this disruption — Canada, Ireland, and Europe can be pivotal, powerful and purposeful: a force for good,” Carney said.

Revisiting his ‘middle powers’ vision

The themes echoed remarks Carney delivered earlier this year at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where he outlined his vision for stronger cooperation among the world's “intermediate powers”.

At the time, he argued that violations of international law and the use of economic integration as a “weapon” were undermining smaller countries and said the answer was to “build a new order” among nations that could collectively match the influence of larger powers.

Trump responded sharply to those comments during the Davos gathering.

“Canada gets a lot of freebies from us, by the way. They should be grateful also, but they’re not,” Trump said at one point.

“Canada lives because of the United States. Remember that, Mark, the next time you make your statements.”

Highlighting the strength of Canada-EU ties

Returning to the same argument on Saturday, Carney highlighted the combined economic and security strength of Canada and Europe.

“ Together, we are powerful because we have the capacity to act together.  Together, we are powerful because we have the capacity to act together. Combined, the population is more than twice that of the United States,” Carney said. “Our collective defence budget is twice that of China’s.”

Since becoming Prime Minister in 2025, Carney has sought to deepen Canada's engagement with Europe.

In May, he became the first non-European leader to participate in the European Political Community Summit. Earlier, in February, he oversaw Canada's entry into Europe's SAFE Instrument, making Canada the first non-European country to join the military procurement loan initiative.

Expanding partnerships beyond Europe

Carney also expressed support for stronger links between the European Union and the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership, saying such cooperation could create a trading bloc encompassing more than a billion and a half people.

“ The nations that invest in their own capabilities and partner with like-minded allies will multiply their strength,” Carney said.

Pointing to challenges including global conflicts and climate change, he urged Canada and Europe to continue building on their shared values and history.

“We have developed a unique worldview — a transatlantic worldview, if you will — rooted in a simple but profound conviction: that we are stronger when we are connected, that our prosperity grows when it’s shared, and that we are the stewards of our lands.”