In a paywalled op-ed for the Irish Independent, Professor Raj Chari says Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney’s visit to Ireland is about more than reconnecting with family roots. Prof Chari argues that Canada and Ireland, as influential middle powers, can strengthen their position through closer co-operation in trade, regulation, AI, climate and other shared priorities. With Ireland preparing to assume the EU presidency, the visit underscores how smaller nations can shape global affairs by building trusted partnerships and promoting rules-based collaboration.