At the opening of the United Nations General Assembly last week, two contrasting visions for the international order were presented by world leaders Donald Trump and Emmanuel Macron. Trump’s address echoed his previous speeches, emphasizing American military and economic dominance and issuing stern warnings to various countries. In contrast, Macron called for a renewed commitment to international law, multilateralism, and a rules-based global order, directly criticizing actions by Russia and Israel while implicitly challenging Trump’s approach.
Macron framed the current moment as a “new era of barbaric acts,” rejecting what he described as a world governed by “the law of the jungle.” His speech, delivered in New York just months before he is set to leave office, underscored his long-standing advocacy for a Europe that takes greater control of its military and geopolitical destiny, an idea often termed European strategic autonomy. He has persistently warned that NATO could no longer rely unquestioningly on the United States’ support, especially during Trump’s presidency.
Despite the clarity of Macron’s analysis, his calls for significant reforms have met limited success. Efforts to reform the European Union have stalled, notably due to a lack of support from Germany, and his influence on the global stage has been constrained by domestic political challenges, including a weakened position following the 2024 French parliamentary elections. Furthermore, his tenure coincided with a period of upheaval in global politics, including the rise of leaders such as Trump, Vladimir Putin, and Benjamin Netanyahu, who have promoted unilateralism and challenged established norms.
Following Macron’s address, a number of middle-power leaders reinforced his defense of the UN’s principles while voicing veiled criticisms of Trump’s unilateral stance. Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese emphasized that the UN’s mission could not rely solely on the largest or most powerful nations. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for unity to resist forces seeking a return to a more confrontational and fragmented world.
Recent developments suggest these middle powers are coalescing around alliances based on shared values rather than geography or size. Last month, the European Union and Canada considered an “associate membership” framework, while the United Kingdom established a coalition of middle powers to enforce sanctions related to Israel’s West Bank occupation. Additionally, Finland and Norway initiated an international effort to regulate artificial intelligence safety, gaining support from 27 nations, including Canada, Germany, Australia, and France. This move contrasts with Trump’s dismissal of AI safety concerns.
This emerging framework, described as “values-based realism,” was first articulated by Finnish President Alexander Stubb and echoed by Canada’s Mark Carney, who has highlighted the disruption in the international system caused by Trump. The concept envisions a world of multiple overlapping alliances united by shared principles rather than traditional power structures.
For middle powers such as the United Kingdom, the challenge now lies in determining which coalitions to join, which to form independently, and when to engage or hold back. As these nations navigate a complex geopolitical environment, the recent resurgence of a values-driven multilateralism signals a shift toward more diverse and principled international cooperation.