Global leaders have issued stark warnings that the world order is experiencing a profound rupture, with international law being trampled underfoot and imperial ambitions resurfacing. This alarming assessment comes as the agenda at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, is dominated by US President Donald Trump's desire to annex Greenland and his ongoing threats to impose tariffs, raising questions about the emergence of a new, lawless global era.
Davos Dominated by Trump's Controversial Stances
The row over President Trump's ambitions regarding Greenland, coupled with his rhetoric on tariffs, has taken centre stage at the prestigious international gathering. In Davos, Trump made provocative statements, asserting, "I love Europe and I want to see Europe go good, but it's not heading in the right direction." Regarding Greenland, he controversially claimed, "This enormous unsecured island is actually part of North America. That's our territory." These remarks have intensified concerns among world leaders about a shift away from established norms.
Canadian Prime Minister Warns of Great-Power Rivalry
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, who left Davos without meeting Trump, emphasised that the world is "in the midst of a rupture, not a transition." He highlighted the dangers of this new era, stating, "Every day we're reminded that we live in an era of great-power rivalry. That the rules-based order is fading. That the strong can do what they can, and the weak must suffer what they must." Carney urged middle powers to unite, warning, "There is a strong tendency for countries to go along to get along. To accommodate. To avoid trouble. To hope that compliance will buy safety. It won't." He pointed out that great powers are increasingly using economic tools like tariffs and supply chains as weapons of coercion.
Macron Decries Shift to a World Without Rules
French President Emmanuel Macron echoed these concerns, declaring, "It's a shift towards a world without rules. Where international law is trampled underfoot and where the only law that seems to matter is that of the strongest, and imperial ambitions are resurfacing." He denounced US competition through trade agreements that undermine European export interests and demand maximum concessions, arguing such moves "openly aim to weaken and subordinate Europe." Macron criticised the "endless accumulation of new tariffs that are fundamentally unacceptable," viewing them as leverage against territorial sovereignty.
Von der Leyen Calls for a New Independent Europe
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen responded by advocating for the construction of a new, independent Europe. She stated, "The proposed additional tariffs are a mistake, especially between long-standing allies." Von der Leyen emphasised, "My point is: if this change is permanent, then Europe must change permanently too. It is time to seize this opportunity and build a new independent Europe." She warned that a diplomatic "downward spiral" in the West would only embolden adversaries, adding, "In this increasingly lawless world, Europe needs its own levers of power." In a speech to the European Parliament, she affirmed Europe's readiness to act with unity and determination if necessary.
The discussions at Davos underscore a growing consensus among global leaders that the traditional rules-based order is under severe threat. With Trump's actions and rhetoric challenging international norms, there is a palpable fear that the world may be entering an unpredictable phase where power dynamics override established legal frameworks, potentially reshaping global relations for years to come.
