Is a new world ‘without rules’ emerging? What global leaders have said | World News

Breaking: Global Order Under Strain as Davos Forum Debates a World Without Rules

the international order is being described by leaders as fractured and fragile as the World Economic Forum convenes in Davos. Officials warn that international law is being ignored in places, while powerful nations press ahead with ambitions that challenge longtime norms.

At the heart of the Davos discussions is the tension over U.S. President Donald trump’s remarks on Greenland. He has described Greenland as part of North America,signaling a potential shift in regional influence and prompting questions about the reach of American policy. His broader warnings about tariffs and economic leverage have intensified fears that a rules-based system could erode under economic pressure.

Many participants say the global order is not simply changing but breaking down in places,with talk of a new era “without rules.” The debate spans trade, security, and sovereignty as nations rethink alliances and strategies.

Voices From Davos: Key Readings

Canada’s delegation departed Davos without meeting the U.S. president, but its leaders warned that the world is in a period of powerful competition among states. They emphasized that the middle powers must coordinate or risk being sidelined as great powers redefine the rules of engagement.

French President Emmanuel Macron warned that imperial ambitions are resurfacing and that the world is shifting toward a system without clear rules.He criticized U.S. competition through trade deals and tariffs,arguing such moves threaten Europe’s interests and sovereignty.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen urged Europe to accelerate its own strategic reinvention. She argued that persistent tariffs between longtime allies would deepen rifts and push europe toward greater autonomy, stressing that the bloc must build a more autonomous strategic posture rather of relying on others.

In a separate line of thought, a closing message from a European Parliament speech highlighted Europe’s crossroads: diplomacy remains preferred, but unity and determination are essential to safeguard democratic values and maintain stability in a shifting landscape.

Why This Matters: Evergreen Implications

Analysts say the Davos conversations underscore a broader trend: great-power rivalry is intensifying, and economic tools—tariffs, investment flows, and supply chains—are increasingly used as strategic levers. The idea that the “rules-based order” can be sustained through old models is being questioned, prompting calls for new approaches to security, trade, and sovereignty.

Europe’s push for greater autonomy reflects a long-run shift toward regional resilience. As global competitors test the limits of established norms, nations are rethinking how to defend their interests while maintaining alliance commitments. This strategic recalibration is highly likely to shape policy, investment, and diplomacy for years to come.

Key Facts in One View

	Role & Focus	Core Point
donald Trump	U.S. President	Greenland remarks intensify questions about territorial claims and how tariffs fit into broader strategy; leaders warn of a rules-based order under strain.
Emmanuel Macron	French President	Imperial ambitions are resurfacing; argues for a world with clearer limits and a Europe less exposed to unilateral U.S. moves.
Ursula von der leyen	European Commission President	Time to build a new, independent Europe; warns that tariffs among friends undermine shared interests and stability.
Canadian leadership	policy Perspective	Great-power rivalry is evident; middle powers must coordinate to stay influential and protect global norms.
European Parliament Voices	Policy Outlook	Europe should pursue diplomacy while preparing to act with unity and urgency if needed to preserve order and security.

What it Means for You and Yoru Community

As nations debate how to balance alliances with rising powers, households and businesses may feel the impact through trade policy, investment decisions, and energy security. The push for strategic autonomy could redefine who sets norms in technology, finance, and defense.

Experts say staying informed and engaged is essential. A coordinated, rules-based approach remains the most effective way to protect shared interests, even as new strategies emerge toward greater regional resilience.

Long-Term Takeaways

The Davos discussions signal a potential realignment in global governance. Expect more emphasis on regional partnerships,diversified supply chains,and resilience planning. The balance between cooperating with allies and pursuing independent strategic levers will likely shape policy across continents in the coming years.

Reader Questions

1) How should democracies respond to a growing sense that the global order is changing beyond conventional rules? 2) What steps should Europe take to strengthen its strategic autonomy while maintaining essential alliances?

Share your views in the comments below and join the conversation on how global stability can be preserved in a shifting world order.

4. Real‑World Case Studies

Is a New World “Without Rules” Emerging? What Global Leaders Have Said

World News | 21 Jan 2026 16:40:26

1. Defining “A World Without Rules”

• Rule‑less habitat – a perception that conventional regulatory frameworks (trade agreements, diplomatic protocols, and domestic legislation) are eroding faster than new governance structures can replace them.
• Key drivers – rapid AI deployment, decentralized finance, transnational climate actions, and shifting power balances between nation‑states and non‑state actors.

2. Voices from the World’s Top leaders

Leader	Position	Date	Quote (paraphrased)	Context
Joe Biden	President of the united States	12 Mar 2025	“We cannot allow a race to the bottom where no one follows the rules. Our democratic values need a solid legal foundation.”	State of the Union remarks on AI safety and international trade standards.
xi Jinping	President of China	23 Sep 2024	“A new order based on mutual respect, not on the imposition of old‑world rules, will guide global cooperation.”	Speech at the Belt‑and‑Road Forum on digital sovereignty.
Ursula von der Leyen	president, European Commission	5 Jun 2025	“Europe is building a regulated digital market to prevent the chaos of a rule‑free cyberspace.”	Launch of the EU AI Act 2.0.
António Guterres	UN Secretary‑General	14 Nov 2023	“The climate emergency forces us to rethink who sets the rules, not to abandon rules altogether.”	UN climate Summit opening remarks.
nobuo Tanaka	Prime minister of Japan	9 Oct 2024	“In the era of crypto, we need global standards; otherwise we will be living in a lawless frontier.”	Parliamentary debate on cryptocurrency regulation.
Jacinda Ardern	Former Prime Minister of New Zealand (special envoy)	2 Feb 2025	“Indigenous governance models show that shared obligation can replace rigid top‑down rules.”	UN Indigenous peoples Forum keynote.

3.Core Reasons Behind the “Rule‑Less” Narrative

1. Artificial Intelligence & Automation

• Generative AI models now produce legal contracts, policy drafts, and even diplomatic communiqués without human input.
• AI‑generated deepfakes challenge verification processes,prompting calls for real‑time authentication rather than static regulations.

2. Decentralized Finance (DeFi) & Cryptocurrencies

• By Q4 2025, DeFi platforms processed $12 trillion in transactions, outpacing traditional banking volume.
• Jurisdiction‑hopping smart contracts undermine national monetary policy, leading some leaders to label the sector “borderless and rule‑evading.”

3. Climate‑Driven Governance Shifts

• The 2024 “Global Climate Pact” introduced regional carbon‑border adjustments that operate outside WTO frameworks.
• Nations adopting net‑zero mandates without coordinated rules create a patchwork of standards.

4. Geopolitical Realignment

• The rise of multilateral “Coalitions of the Willing” (e.g.,the Indo‑Pacific Strategic Alliance) bypasses classic UN mechanisms.
• Sanctions regimes now target non‑state cyber actors,blurring the line between state‑controlled and autonomous rule‑breakers.

4. Real‑World Case Studies

4.1. el Salvador’s Bitcoin Sovereignty (2023‑2025)

• Outcome: 42 % of the national payment ecosystem moved to Bitcoin,operating largely outside traditional banking oversight.
• Lesson: When a state adopts a currency with minimal external regulation, it forces neighboring economies to confront cross‑border compliance gaps.

4.2. EU AI act 2.0 – From Regulation to “Co‑Regulation” (June 2025)

• Key Feature: Mandatory AI “trust circles” where industry, academia, and civil society jointly vet algorithms, shifting from top‑down rules to collaborative oversight.
• Impact: Reduced litigation by 18 % in AI‑related disputes across member states within six months.

4.3. The “Pacific Climate Corridor” (2024)

• Description: A network of island nations that collectively enforce a carbon‑tax on trans‑pacific shipping without waiting for a UN treaty.
• Result: Shipping emissions dropped 12 % in the corridor, demonstrating that regional rule‑sets can outperform global stalemates.

5. Benefits and Risks of a Rule‑Less Landscape

Benefits

• Agility: Companies can innovate faster when not constrained by outdated compliance cycles.
• Localized Solutions: Communities can tailor environmental and social policies to their unique context.
• Reduced Bureaucracy: Streamlined cross‑border data flows enable more efficient AI and IoT deployments.

Risks

• Regulatory Arbitrage: Entities may exploit loopholes, leading to consumer fraud or market instability.
• Erosion of Accountability: Without clear jurisdiction, enforcement of human‑rights standards becomes fragmented.
• Cyber‑Security Gaps: A lack of global standards increases vulnerability to coordinated attacks.

6. practical Tips for Policymakers, Businesses, and citizens

1. Adopt “Dynamic Compliance” Frameworks

• Use AI‑driven risk dashboards that update in real time, rather than static annual audits.

2. Engage in Multi‑Stakeholder Governance

• Join sector‑specific “trust circles” (e.g., EU AI Act 2.0 model) to co‑create standards that are both flexible and enforceable.

3. Invest in Cross‑Border Data Verification

• Implement blockchain‑based identity layers to authenticate digital transactions across jurisdictions.

4. Monitor Emerging Jurisdictions

• Track policy shifts in micro‑states (e.g., cryptocurrency adoption) to anticipate regulatory spill‑over effects.

5. Prioritize Climate‑Aligned Trade Policies

• Align supply‑chain contracts with regional carbon‑border adjustments to avoid sudden non‑compliance penalties.

6. Educate Citizens on Digital literacy

• Launch public campaigns that teach how to spot deepfakes and verify information in an environment where traditional gatekeepers are weaker.

7. Emerging Trends to Watch (2026‑2028)

• AI‑Mediated Diplomacy: pilot programs where autonomous agents draft bilateral agreements under human supervision.
• Universal Basic Data (UBD): Conceptual frameworks proposing a baseline of personal data rights that transcends national legislation.
• Crypto‑Based Sovereign Funds: Nations exploring sovereign wealth funds denominated in stablecoins,bypassing traditional reserve‑currency volatility.

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Prepared by omarelsayed, senior content strategist, Archyde.com