{
  "id": 14473441,
  "title": "Trump troubles ‘middle powers' for new strategies",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/trump-troubles-middle-powers-for-new-strategies",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-14T14:17:52.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times",
    "slug": "the-economic-times",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international/world-news/india-uk-canada-middle-powers-grapple-with-new-survival-strategies-under-trump-era-us-iran-war-middle-east-strait-of-hormuz/articleshow/134944734.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The rapidly changing global landscape, characterized by disrupted supply chains and shifting alliances, is compelling so-called middle-power nations to devise new strategies for survival. Nations like India, Canada, and the UK are confronting the challenges posed by intense competition between the US and China, ongoing conflicts, and the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, which have created bottlenecks in energy and technology supply chains.\n\nDuring the second day of the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi, government and business leaders discussed these issues. India's External Affairs Minister, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, emphasized the importance of middle powers engaging proactively with one another to address their shared concerns. Swiss and Canadian officials highlighted the need to diversify trading partners and strengthen supply chains.\n\nFormer UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak argued that middle powers could enhance their resilience by exploiting their unique trade advantages, making themselves indispensable to other nations. This strategy became particularly pertinent as US President Donald Trump disrupted traditional alliances and weakened institutions like the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.\n\nOne of the most significant challenges facing middle powers is the erosion of reliable supply chains, exacerbated by Trump's tariff policies, Middle East instability, and the conflict in Ukraine. These events have compelled nations to secure alternative sources for energy, food, and critical technology. Moreover, China's ascendancy in critical minerals and technology has added to the difficulties faced by CEOs and world leaders.\n\nIn the Bloomberg forum, DP World CEO Yuvraj Narayan lamented the shift from a free-flowing global economy to one where supply chains are increasingly weaponized. He pointed to choke points such as the Strait of Hormuz, the Panama Canal, and the Strait of Malacca as areas where investment was likely to increase due to heightened risks.\n\nSwiss trade negotiator Helene Budliger Artieda underscored the emphasis on resilience and diversification of contracts following supply-chain disruptions. She acknowledged the limitations of a small country like Switzerland, stating that the nation cannot manufacture everything within its borders and must diversify its trading partners.\n\nUK Foreign Minister Anita Anand argued against using competitive advantages as a means to weaponize one's position. She stressed the importance of collaboration among middle powers, emphasizing that they would never use their strengths to harm others.\n\nFor India, boosting self-sufficiency has become increasingly urgent, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic exposed the nation's reliance on imported vaccines and medical supplies. Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal highlighted this issue, stating that wherever India had placed orders for PPE kits, vaccines, and other necessities, it had been let down by various countries. As a result, India has emerged as a major vaccine manufacturer and exporter.\n\nSwiss negotiator Artieda offered an alternative perspective, suggesting that middle powers should remain calm and enjoy Swiss chocolate as a symbol of resilience.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}