Age of Clashing Empires: New Statesman

Analysts are less certain that nations bound by trade might find it impossible to head to war. The US-China trade war and Britain’s embrace of Brexit signaled that decoupling was already underway. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic applied sudden brakes and exposed weaknesses. “Britain will be exiting into a totally different world, one defined by competing blocs and protectionism rather than cooperating states,” warns Mark Leonard for New Statesman, in an article published before the pandemic’s declaration. Nations no longer agree about the value of foreign investment or climate agreements. “Trump’s response is one of creative destruction and his aim is to undermine existing institutions – such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Nafta and Nato…. He wants to do this while the US is still the dominant power and can deal with all others from a position of strength.” China responds with the Belt and Road Initiative centered on infrastructure in 65 nations combined with technological advances on big data and surveillance, yet is not a responsible stakeholder for intellectual property or human rights. The clash between China and the United States forces other countries to choose. Leonard warns that nations like Britain must tread carefully in a world where interdependence is “weaponized,” yet total independence is impossible. – YaleGlobal