Saturday Mornings: Variable Geometry & a New Global Order: What Carney’s Davos Message Means for Asia

This week on Saturday Sit‑Down, Saturday Mornings Show host Glenn van Zutphen and co-host Neil Humphreys are joined by Barrett Bingley, Asia Regional Director at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, to unpack the global implications of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s striking address at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Carney declared that the post‑Cold War rules‑based order is no longer functioning as intended—and that middle powers can no longer depend on legacy alliances for economic security or geopolitical stability. Barrett explains why Carney’s call for “variable geometry”—more flexible, pragmatic cooperation among like‑minded countries—resonates deeply across Asia. For economies such as Singapore, Japan, South Korea, and key ASEAN states, the challenge is clear: navigate intensifying great‑power rivalry while maintaining strategic autonomy, economic openness, and diversified partnerships. We explore what this shifting world order means for Indo‑Pacific businesses, from supply‑chain resilience to new investment corridors. Barrett also outlines how Canada is backing its rhetoric with action, from Indo‑Pacific strategy funding to deeper engagement with regional partners in technology, clean energy, and security cooperation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.