Some of the United States’ closest allies, such as Canada and the United Kingdom, warn that the international trade and security system defended by Western powers for more than 70 years is irreparably broken, and that it is up to Europe to forge a new world order. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney who earlier this year warned that the rules-based order was dead, implored dozens of leaders gathered in Armenia yesterday not to submit to a more “transactional, isolationist and brutal” world.
“In my personal opinion, the international order will be rebuilt, but it will be rebuilt from Europe,” Carney said at the European Political Community meeting in Yerevan. World leaders are reassessing their relations with the United States as President Donald Trump pushes an aggressive “America First” policy that has tested traditional alliances forged after World War II. Trump imposed widespread tariffs on the rest of the world, repeatedly undermined NATO partners and threatened to annex Greenland, Danish territory.
“There is a moral imperative to build a more prosperous and just world,” Carney said. “The rules do not limit hegemonic powers.” To be sure, Europeans continue to depend on the United States for their security, and according to a Bloomberg Intelligence analysis, it could take more than 10 years for European members of NATO to strengthen their defense sector. Additionally, the alliance’s 15 largest European members may need to increase investment by between $340 billion and $720 billion annually. Many American allies are now seeking to unite in an effort to consolidate their power and reject the turn toward political ptough oder by the United States and Chinaas the established order gradually crumbles.
Carney joined nearly 50 leaders, mostly from European countries, at the summit, which was marked by debate on issues such as democratic resilience and economic security.
It was the first time that a leader from a non-European country was invited. The Canadian prime minister defended the creation of new alliances between medium-sized countries to counteract the pressure and intimidation tactics of the great world powers. He thus joins a growing number of European leaders who have begun to speak out more firmly against Trump. The president of the Spanish government, Pedro Sánchezhas been Trump’s staunchest critic in the European Union, calling the war against Iran illegal and prohibiting the use of Spanish airspace and the two US bases located on its territory for operations in support of attacks against Iran.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz He recently claimed that the United States is being “humiliated” by Iranian leaders and that he did not see “what strategic solution the Americans are now choosing.” The criticism has had consequences. Over the weekend, Trump announced that he would withdraw thousands of US troops stationed in Germany, accusing European countries of ignoring his pleas for help in the war against Iran and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial sea lane for global energy supplies. There is an assumption in NATO that the relationship with the United States will get worse before it gets better and that there could be further troop withdrawals, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who asked not to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter.
Trump also promised to increase auto tariffs and trucks from the EU at 25%, alleging that the bloc had not fully complied with a trade agreement negotiated with the United States. “We cannot deny that some of the alliances we have trusted are not in the situation we would like,” declared British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Armenia. “There is more tension than there should be in alliances. It is essential that we face this situation as a united group of countries.” French President Emmanuel Macron echoed the view that Europe needs to take greater control over its own defence.
“We are suffering the consequences of excessive dependence when we talk about American support in matters of defense and security,” declared Macron. “Let’s face it, this is the elephant in the room.” Trump has long accused NATO allies in Europe of taking advantage of American protection instead of paying more for their own defense.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte warned European leaders that Trump is disappointed by their reluctance to collaborate in the Iran war. Carney said allies would need to forge alliances that went beyond food, energy and defense to include areas such as space communications, semiconductors and critical minerals.
“Our strategic imperative is to develop these sovereign capabilities with the most trusted partners,” he said. “We know that nostalgia is not a strategy.”