A Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

It is difficult to tell if Trump as President is going to cause more chaos at home than turmoil abroad. But it seems we are all in for an interesting ride

By Anil Madan

President Xi Jinping of China, speaking through an interpreter in Lima, Peru last Saturday said: “China’s goal of a stable, healthy and sustainable China-US relationship remains unchanged.” The Wall Street Journal reports that China “stressed the sentiment in a series of dispatches quoting Xi published by the government’s official Xinhua News Agency that reiterated the phrase “has not changed” four times in relation to bilateral ties.” One might think that President Xi was speaking to President-elect Donald Trump when he stressed that the US and China should interject certainty and positive energy into a turbulent world. But of course, Trump is not yet the next President although he soon will be. So, President Xi was speaking indirectly to Trump.

“It is well known that President-elect Trump has proposed massive new tariffs on goods imported from China into the US. Already, there are reports of Chinese companies finishing their products in south Asian countries to avoid US tariffs. China’s exports to the US remain a significant portion of its overall exports, but trade with southeast Asia, Latin America, and Europe continues to grow…” Pic – Market Watch

In April of this year, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen made these remarks in a detailed speech on US-China relations: “During conversations this week, I underscored again that the United States does not seek to decouple from China. Our two economies are deeply integrated, and a wholesale separation would be disastrous for both of our economies. Even as we take actions to diversify our supply chains, we seek to preserve the broader trade and investment relationship that can benefit American workers and firms. China is a key market for American products and services. And competition between our firms can spur greater dynamism and innovation in American industries. The American businesses that I spoke to in Guangzhou underscored the significant benefits of a healthy economic relationship.”

She went on to speak of managing China’s overcapacity in supplying the world with manufactured goods.

President Xi and Secretary Yellen, on behalf of President Biden were sending the same message.

It is significant that President Xi should have repeated it to an outgoing President who will soon have no influence whatever on US policy towards China.

It is well known that President-elect Trump has proposed massive new tariffs on goods imported from China into the US. Already, there are reports of Chinese companies finishing their products in south Asian countries to avoid US tariffs. China’s exports to the US remain a significant portion of its overall exports, but trade with southeast Asia, Latin America, and Europe continues to grow.

It is significant, therefore, that President Xi has attempted to send a signal of cooperation clearly intended for Trump.

Russia-Ukraine war & Putin’s threat

Trump has said that he would end the war between Russia and Ukraine in one day. Notwithstanding the fear that Trump will pressure Ukraine to cede the Ukrainian territory that Putin has seized, annexed, or controls, it appears that Europeans are now much less resistant to a negotiated peace now than they were when they believed that with sheer determination, Ukraine would prevail.Read More… Become a Subscriber

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 22 November 2024