The Decibel How the world changed this week at Davos
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Jan 23, 2026 Doug Saunders, an international affairs columnist at The Globe and Mail, delves into the dramatic events at Davos. He discusses the competing visions for global order presented by U.S. President Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, especially focusing on the ambiguous Greenland deal and its implications for NATO's unity. Saunders examines the concept of 'middle powers' and Canada’s quest for autonomy amid U.S. influence. He highlights the potential turning point in international relations, with middle powers needing to collaborate more closely than ever.
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Bilateral Deals Undermine Sovereignty
- When countries only negotiate bilaterally with a hegemon, they accept subordination rather than true sovereignty.
- Mark Carney argued middle powers must act together to avoid competing to be most accommodating.
Greenland Deal Likely Status Quo Win
- The Greenland 'framework deal' likely preserves the existing U.S. rights rather than granting new sovereignty.
- Doug Saunders says Mark Rutte offered Trump an off-ramp that gave the U.S. status quo privileges in Greenland.
Sovereignty Can Be Legal Illusion
- 'Sovereignty' in deals can mimic embassy or base arrangements without transferring core territorial control.
- Saunders suggests fine print will differ from Trump's public claim of full U.S. sovereignty over Greenland.