The Chinese leader has flown out to South Africa for the summit but asked his commerce minister to read out his remarks.

  • JungleJim@sh.itjust.works
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    1 year ago

    I really don’t know enough to know, but if all these countries that aren’t really friends with the west but have been using the dollar stop doing so, what interest does the west have in maintaining trade? I understand China gained it’s economic status because they were willing to do the labor and manufacturing the west didn’t want to. Are they hoping that if the west stops buying their stuff the global south will buy enough to make up for it?

    • ImplyingImplications@lemmy.ca
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      1 year ago

      what interest does the west have in maintaining trade?

      It’s long been thought the only reason there’s been no WWIII is because countries that don’t necessarily like each other have created mutually beneficial trade deals together.

      As long as the trade deals lead to better outcomes than war, these countries should maintain peace. For example, Australia recently purchased 8 advanced nuclear powered submarines for a cost of $368 billion. The main reason for the purchase is to protect their international trade routes from being shut down by China…who is their largest trading partner. Why would you spend so much money on military weapons to protect your trade with China, from China?? It’s because Australia wants to ensure China knows keeping their trade deals running is the most beneficial option for everyone.

    • steltek@lemm.ee
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      1 year ago

      It’s a new Cold War. Quality of life matters less than being able to stick it to the other guy. For the Soviets, empty grocery stores and gray concrete block housing are tolerable if it means winning against the decadent West. The West had dumbass proxy wars of containment and abrogation of freedoms (HUAC, FBI bullshit).

      I think we’ll have trade but you’ll see state intervention to boost alternatives in the respective spheres with a 3rd World (OG definition) in the middle.