The diplomatic gloves are off. In a rare breach of diplomatic protocol, senior Australian government officials have openly praised a blistering attack on Donald Trump’s foreign policy delivered by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at Davos.

Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers described Carney’s speech as "stunning" and confirmed it is being "widely shared and discussed" within the corridors of power in Canberra. The speech, which characterized the current global order as undergoing a "rupture, not a transition," has struck a chord with middle-power nations feeling the heat of American isolationism.

"The Old Certainties are Gone"

Carney’s address stripped away the veneer of the "rules-based international order," arguing that great power rivalry now operates without constraints. Chalmers echoed this sentiment on ABC Radio, noting that for nations like Australia and Canada, the breakdown of multilateralism is an existential threat.

• The Quote: "Stop invoking rules-based international order as though it still functions as advertised," Carney told the Davos elite. "Call it what it is: a system of intensifying great power rivalry."
• The Aussie Angle: Former Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull joined the chorus, urging the current administration to rethink defense pacts like AUKUS in light of the erratic leadership in Washington.

The endorsement of Carney’s "brutal reality" check signals a significant shift. Allies are no longer just hoping for the best; they are actively preparing for a world where the US is a wildcard rather than an anchor. For Kenya and other African nations watching from the sidelines, this Western infighting is a clear signal: self-reliance is no longer a choice, but a necessity.

"Our interests are best served by cooperation," Chalmers concluded, a polite diplomatic phrasing for a frantic scramble to find new friends in a leaderless world.