As the global economy grapples with challenges from inflationary pressures to geopolitical tensions, there is heightened interest in trade tariffs as a policy tool. The United States and members of the European Union have threatened to reintroduce or increase tariffs, citing the need to protect domestic industries or respond to strategic imperative

Since FOCAC’s inception, this trade imbalance has resulted in an accumulated cash outflow of US$114.83 billion from South Africa to China. Since 2014, South Africa’s imports from China have nearly doubled the value of its exports. South Africa only raised concerns about these alarming trends in 2024, at the ninth FOCAC meeting. Action to addres

According to this view, fiscal balance, stability, structural reforms and investment incentives increase productivity and attract capital to develop projects in strategic export sectors (energy, mining, renewables and agribusiness). Higher productivity and a thriving export sector leads to a natural appreciation of the exchange rate. Moreover, once

Regional Tensions. Iraq’s relationships with neighboring countries, particularly Iran, which is not included in the project, could undermine its progress, but including Tehran may attract Washington’s attention. Baghdad needs to convince the neighbors, and China, the Road will not be duplicative and improve economic, and thus political, resilie

The introduction of high-speed rail (HSR) may interest China, which is the world’s leading developer of HSR. Autonomous vehicles (trucks) will require 5G/6G/XG wireless connectivity, another area of Chinese leadership and an “XG corridor” will drive economic development along the route with the help of local wireless providers such as Asiacel