While the world focused on “dramatic events” in Venezuela and the Arctic (Greenland), something else unfolded in East Asia that sheds light on where this new world might be heading. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney travelled to Beijing. Someone less attuned to global shifts might ask: What is the significance of that? As most world leaders remain shell-shocked and unsure how to respond to a fast-vanishing old world order, Carney appears to be taking the bull by the horns. In Beijing, Carney got down to business: no name-calling, no blame games, no political demagoguery. He signed a slew of agreements with Chinese leaders in energy, agriculture, critical minerals, science and technology, public safety, and “people-to-people” cooperation. This was unprecedented. Until recently, relations between the two countries were at a breaking point. But new global realities — especially policy shifts and changing attitudes in Canada’s neighbourhood — demanded pragmatism over lingering resentment. Carney assumed office at a time when Canada faced the risk of being absorbed into the Union of Stars and Stripes as its 51st state. One gets the sense he quickly resolved to push that threat aside. “Nostalgia is not a strategy,” Carney declared at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. Nostalgia, after all, is a sentimental longing for the past — crying over spilled milk. He described the current global moment as “a rupture, not a transition,” urging the world’s “middle powers” to stand together and stop “living a lie,” warning, “if you are not at the table, you are on the menu.” Since taking office (sounds more African, right?), Carney has steered Canada toward new partnerships with Europe, China, Qatar, India, and many other countries — moving as far away as possible from becoming the 51st state of a powerful neighbour. “We have signed 12 other trade and security deals on four continents in the last six months,” Carney noted in Davos. Some experts, including renowned American investor Warren Buffett, have referred to Canada’s recent moves as “trade and economic decoupling.” U.S. tariff threats and “annexation” talk have prompted Canada to diversify its trade, investment, and political relationships. Meanwhile, the “Buy Canadian” movement has led to U.S. products being replaced with local alternatives. There is growing resentment in Canada toward most things American. This distancing extends into cultural and social spheres: Canadians are consuming more local content, and tourism to the United States is declining. Regarding the headline question, this column does not — and will not — provide absolute answers. It is simply a keen observer of global affairs thinking out loud. That said, there are “so many plates spinning in the air” right now, as American comedian Jon Stewart would say. The unthinkable is happening. NATO forces are amassing in Greenland in anticipation of a face-off — not with Russia or China, but potentially with another NATO member. What a crazy world! How this new world order — or disorder, as some call it — will ultimately take shape, my guess is as good as yours. As an African, one cannot help but wonder: where is Africa’s voice and position in all this? For now, we can only wait and hope to see. The author is a keen observer of global affairs.
