January 22, 2026 — Dalena Reporters
Davos, Switzerland — Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney used his address at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week to sound a firm warning about rising security challenges in the Arctic region, doubling down on Canada’s support for Greenland’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and outlining a strengthened NATO role in northern defence amidst escalating geopolitical tensions.
Speaking on January 20, 2026, Carney addressed international leaders and business figures, condemning recent threats of tariffs and coercion tied to disputes over Greenland and reaffirming that decisions about the future of Greenland should be made by Greenland and Denmark alone a clear rebuke to **U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial push to acquire the Arctic territory and earlier threats of punitive trade measures.
Carney described the current global environment as one of intensified great-power rivalry, where traditional assumptions about economic integration and security under the post-World War II “rules-based order” are giving way to coercive tactics and strategic competition. He emphasised that Canada’s opposition to tariffs imposed over Greenland reflects a broader concern about how powerful states are using economic tools as leverage, risking division among allies.
On Arctic security, Carney and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte agreed on the need to boost collective defence and infrastructure in the Arctic to counter emerging threats and reinforce the region’s stability. In meetings on the sidelines of the Davos forum, the two leaders reaffirmed commitments to safeguarding NATO allies and bolstering investment in northern defence sectors, including over-the-horizon radar, expanded air and sea presence and critical infrastructure enhancements.
Canada’s plans include quadrupling defence spending over the next decade to enhance sovereignty and security across the Arctic part of Ottawa’s broader strategy to respond to evolving challenges emanating from shifting global power dynamics. Carney said the best defence against potential threats including those posed by Russia and China is deepened cooperation within NATO and with European partners, rather than unilateral actions.
Carney also held talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and French President Emmanuel Macron in Davos, underlining shared priorities around Arctic cooperation, territorial integrity and coordinated responses to global tensions. In these meetings, leaders stressed that Greenland’s future should be determined by its people and reaffirmed their dedication to maintaining strong transatlantic ties while respecting international law.
Observers note Carney’s messaging at Davos reflects broader anxiety among middle powers about the future of international security architectures particularly as debate over Greenland has exposed strains within traditional alliances. His remarks are part of Canada’s effort to secure a collective approach to Arctic challenges, reinforcing that regional defence and diplomacy must be pursued multilaterally through NATO rather than through coercive unilateral pressure.
As the summit continues, Carney’s stance bridging strong support for allies with calls for cooperative security and economic resilience is likely to influence discussions on NATO’s role in the Arctic, Nordic cooperation, and the evolving structure of global governance in an era of shifting power balances.