Advertisement AdvertisementAdvertisement AdvertisementFor those intrigued by the idea that Carney’s speech may be the start of a return to this era where Canada plays a special middle-power role, foreign policy specialists say it’s highly unlikely. Today, it’s of course Trump’s America, whereas during the Suez Crisis, it was mostly two weakened, post-war European powers: Britain and France. Another overlap is that Canada’s response in both cases was to emphasize the need for a rules-based international order and the potential for middle powers to collaborate. But foreign policy specialists say that’s pretty much where the comparison ends. Manger said focusing on other middle powers is a sound strategy for Canada, but that revising international institutions and rules within the new landscape won’t be easy.

Source: National Post January 27, 2026 21:21 UTC