A group of Canadian foreign-policy and trade experts is urging Prime Minister Mark Carney and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to establish a charter of shared principles for middle powers during their upcoming summit in Montreal. The summit, scheduled for late October, aims to strengthen ties between Canada and the European Union as both seek to reduce dependence on the unpredictable policies of the United States under Donald Trump.
The proposed charter, inspired by the 1941 Atlantic Charter between the U.S. and Britain, would outline a shared set of political and economic principles for middle powers. The Expert Group on Canada-U.S. Relations suggests this 'middle-power compact' should include commitments to defend democracy, uphold sovereignty, secure critical supply chains, enhance collective defense capabilities, and address global challenges like climate change and pandemics.
The group, which includes former federal cabinet minister Perrin Beatty and ex-ambassador Jonathan Fried, argues that the current international order has been compromised by U.S. protectionism. They propose inviting other democracies such as Japan, South Korea, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand to shape the charter, with the possibility of future U.S. participation if its policies align with the new principles.
The paper, titled 'A Middle Power Charter for a Troubled World,' was published jointly by Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs and other academic institutions. It emphasizes the need for middle powers to act together to preserve a rules-based global order and protect democratic values.