Can China overcome its legacy of corruption in its Belt and Road project?

The conclusion of the USMCA on September 10 revealed a few hidden surprises, including Article 32.10, the “non-market clause” demanded by the U.S. This provision is egregious, unprecedented, and likely to be repeated by the U.S. in future negotiations with other trading partners.

The document conveys a desire to work with China.

China stands for multilateralism, and against Trumpism.

While ‘strongmen’ politicians govern states throughout the Asia Pacific, the truth is that these strongmen are presiding over increasingly vulnerable states and even more fragile economies.

With trade tensions heating up, the U.S. could see a precipitous drop in Chinese investment in Silicon Valley. The frustration of having money to spend but nowhere to spend it will force China to increasingly invest in domestic opportunities.

Though trade diversions from the Sino-American trade war have benefited some Asian nations, much of the region, so far, has greeted it with trepidation. There is increasing worry about the unintended consequences not only for regional trade linkages, where China plays a pivotal role, but also the decades-long cold peace in Asia, which is looking increasingly fragile.

China’s grandiose plans for its Belt and Road Initiative are hitting walls.

It would not be hard for Beijing to offset a loss of demand in a trade war with the US.

In attempting to modernize its governance structure, China must reimagine its relationship between its central government and local authorities, despite the risks involved.