Intelligence Squared
China’s Quest for Global Influence
Nov 3, 2023
Bethany Allen-Ebrahimian, an Axios reporter and author of "Beijing Rules," dives into the complexities of China's quest for global influence and its economic strategies that leverage coercion. She outlines how Western companies navigate ethical dilemmas, such as forced labor in Xinjiang, and the impact of censorship on media and markets. The conversation also critiques Western trade policies in relation to authoritarian practices and discusses the concept of an 'economic NATO' to combat Chinese economic coercion. Insightful, timely, and thought-provoking!
32:29
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Quick takeaways
- China has weaponized its economy to shape the behavior of companies, forcing them to choose between profitability and moral implications.
- China's growing authoritarianism is a national security threat that requires a focus on reestablishing democratic guardrails on economic behavior within our own systems.
Deep dives
China's Economic Statecraft and Its Influence on Global Behavior
Bethany Allen Ibrahimia's book explores how China has weaponized its economy to shape the behavior of companies, individuals, and governments in line with its core interests. By leveraging its economic power, the Chinese government has effectively forced multinational companies to either stay quiet on issues like democracy and human rights to access the Chinese market or speak out and risk being banned. This has created a dilemma for companies that must navigate the tension between profitability and the moral implications of their actions.
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