Vancouver, Canada – Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said longstanding alliances are facing growing pressure in a fast-changing global environment.
“The world is more dangerous. It’s more divided. Old alliances are being tested as new threats emerge,” Carney said during a joint press conference with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr on Thursday, July 2.
Carney said new opportunities are also emerging in trade, technology, energy and culture.
He said Canada is responding by strengthening partnerships with countries that share its values and ambitions.
“In a rapidly changing world, Canada is deepening our partnerships with countries who share our values and our ambitions,” the prime minister said.
The Philippines and Canada just elevated their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, agreeing to expand cooperation in defense, trade, energy, labor, migration and regional security.
Asked whether existing multilateral arrangements remain sufficient, Carney said they remain important, but “they’re not enough.”
The Canadian leader said like-minded countries must work more closely together.
“What also has to happen is that like-minded partners are working together across a wide range of areas,” he said.
He said middle powers have a responsibility to strengthen the rules-based international order, adding that such countries should build new partnerships where cooperation is possible.
Marcos said the Philippines shares Canada’s assessment.
“The Philippines and Canada are in full agreement about the necessity of these bilateral and multilateral agreements,” he said.
Marcos said geopolitical volatility has made such partnerships increasingly necessary.
“We have to be stable and at the same time we have to be agile,” the president said.
He said strong partnerships give countries a broader base from which to respond to future challenges.
