“What lies behind Trump’s attack on China” – Article by Nicos Ioannou, member of the Political Bureau of the C.C. of AKEL

23 Apr 2020 HARAVGI

 

It is an indisputable fact that the effects which the coronavirus will have will be debated in the years to come. The consequences it will have on the economy will be unprecedented, since we are talking about consequences that are tantamount to a world war. The International Monetary Fund, although prematurely and perilously, is already making forecasts for the reduction in the GDP they will have on the economies of countries. The World Trade Organization is moving in the same direction. The pandemic has still not reached its peak in several countries, and experts are not ruling out a new wave breaking out very soon. At the same time, there is uncertainty about the situation that will develop in the poorest countries with non-existent health systems, such as those in Africa and Asia. The latest news emanating from these countries is extremely worrying and not at all encouraging.

This does not mean that economies will collapse, but what is certain is that the poorest strata and the working people will once again be the ones who will bear the brunt of the consequences, given that the measures that will subsequently follow will confirm the rule.

The coronavirus already appears to be creating a rupture in the relations between countries, especially between the People’s Republic of China and the United States. The ruling circles in Europe are moving towards aligning themselves with Trump, as the peoples in Europe are increasingly questioning the solidarity, but also the social system itself. The political hegemony of neoliberalism, which seeks to secure less state intervention (in public health, education etc.) has led to the dismantling of public health systems.

The pandemic will create new balance of forces at an international level. China appears to be making the clear point about the way it has handled the battle against the pandemic, given that it is currently emerging from this battle with bruises in contrast to the United States and Europe, which are counting enormous human losses, as well as painful consequences for its economy. Realizing the impending questioning of neoliberalism, as well as the vindication of the Chinese model in which the planned economy plays a dominant role, Trump has launched a daily offensive against China. It is obvious that he is possessed by nervousness, fabricating reasons that only satisfy gullible Americans. As an unashamed defender of neoliberal ideology, without any hesitation Trump is putting into practice the slogan “profits over people”. This US stance against China is not just a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Since 2018, the American President, seeing the technological dominance of China, started a trade war against China, by unilaterally imposing punitive tariffs on Chinese products.

The President of China and General Secretary of the Chinese Communist Party Xi Jiping has on many occasions extended a hand of cooperation towards the West to tackle global problems the planet is facing, such as climate change, famine, the environment, and now the battle against the coronavirus. On its part, China has demonstrated a willingness to cooperate. The same thing happened at the last G20 summit. On the one hand suspicion and on the other the weakness demonstrated by the US, but also to a lesser degree by the Europeans, does not permit them to cooperate with China.

China, of course, does have economic benefits from penetrating the markets of Asia, Africa, Europe, and the United States. Globalization is ongoing, and China, after Deng Xiaoping in 1997, has opened its doors and taken this path. However, the one who has advanced development and growth is the current President (2012), making the most of the technological revolution that has radically changed China.

China maintains close economic ties with many European countries, given that just a few months ago it signed multi-billion agreements with countries such as France, Italy, Germany and others within the framework of China’s ‘one road-one belt’ policy.

However, what does not characterize China in comparison to other superpowers is the fact that it does not pursue an expansionist policy and interferes in the internal affairs of countries. China demonstrates in practice its commitment to world peace.

Consequently, if something does change after the coronavirus period, it is that China is meticulously asserting a global leadership role. On the other hand, within the countries implementing the neoliberal model, the day after will bring skepticism, changes in political obsessions, practices and structures.

The voice of the Left stands out as an alternative political discourse. The challenge is for the Left to win the position of an alternative political discourse. The Avanti Popolo song heard from the balconies in Italy, but also in other countries, isn’t sang because it is in fashion. It is sang because it is becoming a necessity.