As countries around the world scramble to respond to the Trump administration’s tariffs and renegotiate trade agreements, does China stand to benefit from so much global uncertainty? CNN’s Fareed Zakaria joins Ian Bremmer on GZERO World to discuss the shifting power dynamic as America retreats from its global leadership role. China, he notes, is hitting its stride in international relations. The Chinese have a stranglehold on critical mineral supply and renewable energy technology, and are pitching themselves as a stable, reliable trading partner to the world.
President Xi Jinping has also softened his tone from the aggressive “wolf warrior” diplomacy of years past. Beijing is strengthening alliances with Russia, Africa, and across the Global South. Zakaria warns that China sees opportunity as the United States walks away from the global trade system, and will try to drive a wedge between the Western alliance.
“We cannot have dependence on the Chinese, but that doesn’t mean we need to make everything here. This is the mistake I think we're making.” Zakaria says, “We have these deep connections with Canada, with Mexico, Britain, and Europe. Why don’t we use them?”
GZERO World with Ian Bremmer, the award-winning weekly global affairs series, airs nationwide on US public television stations (check local listings).
New digital episodes of GZERO World are released every Monday on YouTube. Don't miss an episode: subscribe to GZERO's YouTube channel and turn on notifications (🔔). GZERO World with Ian Bremmer airs on US public television weekly - check local listings.