The writing on the wall for China isn't good. Can the global economy cope with it?

The “America First” objective is based on a zero-sum mentality, rather than economic reality. While it seeks to advance American interests at the cost of other nations, this policy is ultimately the most detrimental to the US.

In the postwar era, the multilateral development banks were created to facilitate global trade. Today, they are ‘America First’ targets.

Major countries must be careful not to allow conflicts to destabilize the world.

In the era of digitalization, China is leading the world in e-commerce and mobile payment technology while the US is struggling to modernize outdated retail systems.

While excessive freedom for subnational governments can lead to instability, excessive control can choke off the local-level experimentation and competition that has long driven growth in China.

Business leaders, political elites, and other notable figures convened in Davos, Switzerland this week for the World Economic Forum. Concern over the Chinese economy was high on the agenda after China reported on Monday that its economy grew by 6.6% in 2018— its lowest growth rate in 28 years.

China’s pursuit of Artificial Intelligence (AI) hegemony will strengthen the CCP’s position, increase economic development, and transform global trade, ultimately challenging the US’s ability to maintain its dominant political, economic and security presence in Asia.

China should take advantage of this period of flux to restructure its economy.

Free of value-based conditions or demands for political reform, Chinese investment in the Balkans is simultaneously opening European markets and securing like-minded political allies.