THREE MAIN PLAYERS
The three globally operating players have many similarities.
They all have a large military apparatus with a lot of strength, including atomic weapons and advanced missile systems.
In addition, they also have a large consuming inland with a potentially large driving economic value.
At first glance one can say that they are all in favor of globalism when it comes to influence, trade and the prevention of climate change.
AMERICA
Until recently, the USA, China and Russia had signed the Paris Climate Agreement in 2016 together with almost all the other countries.
Until Trump was inaugurated in January 2017 as the new four term president of the United States.
In addition to reversing many of the decisions of his predecessor Barack Obama on domestic policy, the withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement and stepping out of the negotiations of the TPP treaty was a shock that was received worldwide with great amazement, but also with annoyance.
” Also with regard to the input of the so-called soft power of the USA in the world, under Trump there is a severe cut back on the support of people in disaster areas, civil reconstruction after a war and poverty alleviation in general “
Trump had set the tone with regard to the course that the USA was going to take under his leadership and is still taking in full force to this day.
The influence of the USA in the world is therefore seriously breaking down in political and military fields, but also on standing for generally accepted moral norms and values, the interests of the quality of life, discrimination and human rights.
Also with regard to the input of the so-called soft power of the USA in the world, under Trump there is a severe cut back on the support of people in disaster areas, civil reconstruction after a war and poverty alleviation in general.
Trump has also set the tone for domestic policy.
America first can also be found in the field of immigration, the expulsion of immigrants and the protection of certain domestic areas against imported products.
The first tariffs/levies on steel and aluminum as protectionist measures have come into force; 25% on steel from abroad and 10% on aluminum.
The great danger posed by this protectionism is a worldwide trade war that arises as soon as the countries affected by these tariffs introduce countermeasures in the form of levies on all kinds of products that the USA exports.
However, history has shown that there are no winners in these trade wars, only losers in a way the consumers of the countries in particular feel it in their pockets and that employment in those countries is decreasing.
This Trumpism has already led to a reduction of interest in effectively interfering with the necessary hotspots in the world, such as the Middle East, the Rohingya persecution in Myanmar and the conflict in Yemen.
What remains in the foreign field is the intensification of tensions with North Korea and Iran to force a so-called victory on his name.
That the security of the world is at stake is for Trump totally not interesting.
America first, that’s what it’s all about. But actually, above all, it is about Trump himself who wants to go down in history as the best president of all time, even if this is belied by the facts about his persona and his actions.
All in all, it can be said that the USA since Trump largely has left the path of globalism and will more likely do so in the future.
Trump’s policy has provoked an extremely nationalist attitude among many people, moreover luckily still a minority in America: An increased hatred of minorities and towards migration; A general intolerance against dissenters; Trading only on Trump’s terms; Worldwide operating dictators are highly appreciated, such as Putin, Duterte and Erdogan.
” America first can also be found in the field of immigration, the expulsion of immigrants and the protection of certain domestic areas against imported products “
A free democracy is something that Americans should not have to deal with.
Trump and his supporters would therefore like to stay forever where they are now: in the White House!
The USA is currently undergoing major changes and if Trump stays in office for a long time, America will become the first democratic country in history after the Second World War where extreme nationalism is given free rein.
The funding of foreign projects is discontinued or greatly reduced.
Worldwide the face of the USA is seriously waning in this “every man for himself and God for us all” -based principle of (extreme) nationalism.
The leader of the free world has become a puppet of this nationalism; unworthy of the USA!
CHINA
In China we see a somewhat different development.
For a long time China has been a dormant giant, which has been slowly awaking in recent decades.
Under the now chosen leader for life Xi Jinping, China has developed into an economic power, currently taking a second place in the world.
The expectation is that in the near future this country is overthrowing the US on this point.
Unlike Trump, in Xi we see an advocate for globalization not only in the economic field, but also in the area of climate change which is reflected in all kinds of measures addressing the quality of, for example, the air in China.
China is and remains for the time being a country with a dictatorial government, with a one-party system where freedom of expression is a long way off.
” The military potential of China is further increased under Xi and used to protect the interests and influence of China; this is mainly reflected in the claims that China has filed with regard to the South China Sea, where small artificial islands are created for military purposes “
Dissidents are arrested and prosecuted, human rights are actually not known, the import of goods and services is strongly restricted and the currency is manipulated where necessary in favor of China.
Not to mention the property rights and intellectual property of goods and services which are violated.
Also the military potential of China is further increased under Xi and used to protect the interests and influence of China.
This is mainly reflected in the claims that China has filed with regard to the South China Sea, where small artificial islands are created for military purposes.
Under Xi, China is for the time being mainly focused on expanding through peaceful means.
” China has awakened and will step by step make an impact everywhere with its power and influence in Europe, in North and South America, Africa, in Australia and last but not least, in Asia itself “
Chinese state-owned enterprises help many countries in Africa with the development of the economy.
In Europe too, we see Chinese companies opening their doors such as the Great Wall car company in Bulgaria.
This increasing influence generally has a positive effect on the development in the countries concerned.
China has awakened and will step by step make an impact everywhere with its power and influence in Europe, in North and South America, Africa, in Australia and last but not least, in Asia itself.
China would like to present itself as the example of a new ideal state.
China as a global player? Yes, but China does not really strive towards a clear globalism which improves everyone’s lives.
At the heart of the matter, China remains a closed, protectionist country and in that respect is also extremely nationalistic.
This is particularly reflected in high import duties on all foreign goods entering China and the restriction of freedoms imposed on foreign companies that want to establish themselves in China.
Globalization for China? Yes, but only under their conditions, their norms and values.
Then trade will be possible under the banner of China First!
RUSSIA
In Russia, where Putin has been in power for many years, something else stands out.
After the fall of the Wall in 1989 the old Soviet Union collapsed and many European states regained their identity.
The states, especially in the Caucasus, were mainly satellite countries of the new Russia under Putin.
The power and influence of the Soviets and communism was broken.
This to the sorrow and great aggravation of Putin who is doing everything he can to restore the old power, glory and influence.
This is reflected, among other things, in his involvement with the Ukraine where he made the Crimea Russia’s territory in a shrewd and untruthful manner and to the astonishment of the watching West and whereby the annexation of the east of the Ukraine does not seem far away anymore.
In the same way he grabbed land in Georgia.
After the hesitation of Barack Obama, Putin saw his opportunity in Syria to intervene.
Syria was and is an old ally of Russia and the then Soviet Union.
Russian soldiers had been there for a long time and the failing attitude of the USA was the time for Putin to not only assist Syria military and to give a twist to the civil war which continues to this day, but above all to gain prestige and influence in the entire Middle East.
” Russia under the leadership of Putin wants to focus primarily on military activities to promote his world interests “
Virtually every leader in the Middle East, including Nethanyahu of Israel, has already sat on Putin’s lap in the Kremlin.
Russia also supports globalism, but certainly not a clear and non-committal globalism.
Russia under the leadership of Putin wants to focus primarily on military activities to promote his world interests.
Economically, Russia is mainly dependent on raw materials, such as oil and gas. The proceeds will be used to strengthen their military power and institutions.
Under the leadership of Putin all sorts of new and advanced weapons and missile systems are being developed to be able to use them worldwide in their idea of globalism.
There is an internal dictatorship where human rights and freedom of speech are a far cry.
Democratic values are transformed into so-called democratic values and norms on the outside.
This is expressed in the electoral system in which only candidates with no prospects are on the list.
Opponents are excluded, imprisoned or murdered and even if they manage to save their lives by relocating themselves abroad, they risk being killed like Litvinenko in 2006 and recently the attack on double spy Skripal and his daughter in Salisbury in the UK.
” Democratic values are transformed into so-called democratic values and norms on the outside; this is expressed in the electoral system in which only candidates with no prospects are on the list “
Yes, Russia is globalizing in a certain way, but it is mainly their military influence and power.
And yes, Russia is more accessible than China for foreigners and their companies.
And yes, Russia needs those foreigners economically to keep everything running internally.
However, due to the aggressive form of influencing the world, Russia in general and many of its top people are under sanctions of the West.
The economy is not going to develop in the direction that Putin promised in 2018 in yet another re-election.
In addition, Putin and many of his supporters have a boundless chauvinism for everything that is or can be Russian.
Russia First, Russia Above all, Russia as the strongest, the most powerful.
Russia as the determining factor in the world.
This is sheer nationalism.
Also in Russia it is not about the people that Putin watches over or to trade fairly and freely in the world, or to provide worldwide assistance to those who are in need.
Putin exploits this chauvinism among the Russians.
He bends it to greater glorification of himself.
In addition, he and his supporters enrich themselves in all sorts of ways resulting in billions on bank accounts abroad.
