“But more recently, great powers have begun using economic integration as weapons. Tariffs as leverage. Financial infrastructure as coercion. Supply chains as vulnerabilities to be exploited.
“You cannot ‘live within the lie’ of mutual benefit through integration when integration becomes the source of your subordination.
“The multilateral institutions on which middle powers have relied — the WTO, the UN, the COP — the very architecture of collective problem solving, are under threat.
“And as a result, many countries are drawing the same conclusions — that they must develop greater strategic autonomy: in energy, food, critical minerals, in finance and supply chains.”
Throughout his speech, Carny admitted that the international rules are not perfect and are filled with issues but the current shifts indicate the world could be moving towards a more dire situation.
He noted that while it might look appealing, nationalism across the globe can create a ‘world of fortresses’ that are ultimately ‘poorer, more fragile and less sustainable.’
