Carney Calls for Middle-Power Alliance, Deepens Canada-Europe Ties Ahead of G7

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has renewed calls for closer cooperation among "middle powers," arguing that countries such as Canada and European nations should work together to shape the emerging global order amid growing rivalry among major powers.

Speaking at Trinity College in Dublin ahead of the G7 summit , Carney said middle-power nations face a choice between competing for favour with larger powers or joining forces to create a meaningful alternative.

"In a world of great power rivalry, middle powers have a choice to compete for favour or to combine to create a third path with impact," he said.

Carney's remarks came during a visit to Ireland following talks with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin and French President Emmanuel Macron . He described Canada and the European Union as a powerful bloc committed to values such as human rights, pluralism and democracy , adding that "the new world order will be built starting with Europe."

The comments reflect Canada's broader effort to diversify its economic and strategic partnerships as global power equations evolve and geopolitical competition intensifies. Canada recently became the first non-European participant in the European Union's SAFE defence procurement initiative , while expanding cooperation with European countries in critical minerals and other sectors.

Despite advocating stronger European ties, Carney stressed that Canada remains committed to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) . He noted that about 85 per cent of Canadian exports to the United States remain tariff-free under the pact, despite uncertainty created by U.S. President Donald Trump's criticism of the agreement.

Carney has set a goal of doubling Canada's non-U.S. exports over the next decade, positioning the country as a leading middle power in an increasingly multipolar world.