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We are currently living in a time where global competition is the norm, alongside the need for cooperation and the fear of conflict. The two main players in this arena are the US and its allies, and China and Russia. However, it’s important to remember that the rest of the world also holds significant importance, considering it is home to two-thirds of the global population and includes rising powers like India, which is currently the most populous country in the world.
While the US-China relationship takes center stage, the administration has been making efforts to minimize friction between the two countries. Most recently, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen visited Beijing with the goal of establishing and strengthening relationships with China’s new economic leadership team. Yellen emphasized the importance of stabilizing the relationship, reducing misunderstandings, and exploring areas of cooperation. She also highlighted the distinction between decoupling and diversifying supply chains, stating that decoupling would be disastrous for both countries and the world.
It is commendable that efforts are being made to clarify objectives, improve transparency, and strengthen relations with China. It is crucial that we avoid stumbling into hostilities as we have done with Russia. Instead, we must strive to make this relationship work for the benefit of the world. However, the West should not limit its concerns to only China. Building better relationships with the rest of the world is equally important. This requires the West to acknowledge its own double standards and hypocrisy.
The invasion of Ukraine by Russia was a clear violation of moral and legal principles. Many people in developing countries recognize this, but they also remember the history of Western countries as imperialists and invaders. They are aware of our bias towards fellow Europeans and our tendency to turn a blind eye to human rights violations and international law when it suits us. As a result, Ukraine may not be a concern for them.
Trade is another crucial issue to consider. In a significant speech in April, US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan denounced the trading order that the US had spent decades building. More recently, US Trade Representative Katherine Tai confirmed this shift in policy. This change raises many concerns, especially for developing countries that have benefited from trade openness and now fear being left behind.
International assistance is yet another important factor. Developing countries have been hit hard by a series of shocks such as COVID-19, inflation, the invasion of Ukraine, the rise in energy and food prices, and higher interest rates. The assistance they have received during this challenging time has been grossly inadequate. The lasting effects of COVID-19 and the burden of debt could result in lost decades for young people in these countries.
The issue of development assistance is closely tied to the challenge of climate change. Developing countries are well aware that the urgency of addressing climate change is a result of the historic emissions of high-income countries. While the latter were able to take advantage of the atmosphere as a sink for emissions, developing countries are now asked to follow a different, more sustainable development path. This demand can be frustrating for them, especially considering that emissions have not decreased significantly globally.
To achieve rapid emission reductions and ensure prosperity for emerging and developing countries, there needs to be a significant flow of resources towards them. This includes financing climate mitigation efforts and adapting to higher temperatures. However, in 2021, net transfers from official loans to these countries amounted to a mere $38 billion, which is far from sufficient. There must be greater aid, debt relief, and support for climate-related investments, along with new mechanisms for generating the necessary resources.
The high-income democracies have consistently failed to provide adequate assistance, both during the COVID-19 pandemic and in addressing climate change. This failure highlights the unfairness of expecting the poor countries of the world to shoulder the burden caused by the actions of the wealthy. In order to have the desired influence on global issues, the West needs to recognize that its claims to moral superiority are not unquestionable or unchallenged. Many people around the world view Western powers as selfish, self-satisfied, and hypocritical. It is crucial that we do better.
In conclusion, we are currently in a competition between different systems, and it is hoped that democracy and individual freedom will ultimately prevail. However, in order to address the threats to peace, prosperity, and the planet, it is essential to engage deeply with China. If the West wants to have the influence it desires, it must acknowledge and rectify its shortcomings and work towards genuine cooperation and fairness on the global stage.
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