This is why China is gaining global influence, while USA loses it
Nov 22, 2024
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The discussion highlights China's ascendance as the world's largest economy and a top manufacturer, while the U.S. struggles to offer viable alternatives for global development. China's non-interventionist foreign policy and substantial investments, like the Belt and Road Initiative, stand in stark contrast to U.S. tactics that often involve tariffs and privatization. The podcast examines China's influence in Latin America, particularly in Peru, showcasing projects like the Chancay mega-port, and how the U.S. reacts to these developments with threats and outdated offerings.
China's non-interventionist foreign policy appeals to countries seeking stable partnerships, contrasting sharply with the U.S.'s history of military intervention.
China's Belt and Road Initiative significantly enhances its global influence by providing substantial infrastructure investments to countries like Peru, overshadowing U.S. offers.
Deep dives
China's Growing Global Influence
China has emerged as a formidable global player, posing a significant challenge to U.S. dominance due to its comprehensive power across military, economic, diplomatic, and technological realms. Unlike the Soviet Union, which was primarily a military rival, China has developed a robust industrial and commercial sector that allows it to compete on multiple fronts. The U.S. often resorts to fear-mongering to portray China negatively but fails to provide substantive reasons for this fear, as the evidence shows that China is actively reshaping the international order. Key among the factors contributing to China's ascendancy is its non-interventionist foreign policy, which resonates positively with countries that have historically faced U.S. interventionism and military actions.
The Economic Shift
China's economy has surged, becoming the largest in the world based on purchasing power parity, accounting for 19% of the global economy as of 2024, compared to the U.S.'s 15%. Its manufacturing capabilities are unparalleled, producing 35% of the world's goods, which positions China as a dominant trading partner for over 120 countries. This economic landscape has shifted dramatically since 2000, as the U.S. has seen a decline in manufacturing and global trade relations. As nations seek stable and mutually beneficial partnerships, China’s role as the main trading partner is increasingly attractive, particularly in regions like Latin America, where historical ties with the U.S. are strained due to past interventions.
Infrastructure Investments vs. U.S. Alternatives
China's Belt and Road Initiative represents a significant commitment to infrastructure development worldwide, prioritizing win-win cooperation and mutual benefits over profit-driven motives typical of Western corporations. Recent projects, such as the Port of Chiang Kai in Peru, showcase China's dedication to building infrastructure that fosters trade and economic growth across Latin America. In contrast, U.S. offers appear superficial, exemplified by Secretary of State Antony Blinken's announcement of supposedly donated 40-year-old trains that were, in fact, sold to Peru. This stark difference in approach underscores why countries are gravitating towards China, as they seek genuine partnership and support in their development endeavors rather than neo-colonial dictates from the U.S.
US politicians and media outlets complain about China's growing global influence, but offer no alternatives to help countries develop. China has the world's largest economy, produces inexpensive manufactured goods everyone wants, invests trillions in infrastructure, and doesn't interfere in internal affairs of foreign nations. Ben Norton compares what Washington and Beijing have done in Latin America, especially Peru and Nicaragua.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRpe7W4vxHY
Topics
0:00 US politicians fearmonger about China
1:32 Non-interventionist foreign policy vs US wars
2:21 China: world's largest economy & manufacturer
3:49 China: biggest trading partner of most countries
4:36 Latin America
6:48 Belt & Road Initiative (BRI)
9:19 US alternative: tariffs & privatized infrastructure
11:42 BlackRock plans to buy up infrastructure
12:39 BlackRock CEO Larry Fink at G7 summit
13:49 China builds Peru's Chancay mega-port
15:56 USA threatens Latin America over Chinese-built port
18:09 US-backed coup in Peru
19:47 USA sells Peru old trains from 1980s
21:31 What US offers vs what China offers
23:40 Nicaragua canal plans
25:04 US attacks on Nicaragua's Sandinista Revolution
26:10 Why China is winning influence
29:02 Outro
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