"After the summits"

Translated "Avante!"article by Luís Carapinha, Member of the International Department

At the time these lines are being written, the outcome of the Kim-Trump meeting, in Singapore, is unknown.

Nevertheless, it is not but the announced summit between the DPRK and the USA, that occupies the heavy international political agenda, of these last days. The G7 summit, which took place in Canada, expected to be tempestuous, as it was, ending up in a “trade war” scenario and a discredit dramatic turn , via tweet, the USA signing the final statement and the harsh exchange between Trudeau, the host PM and Trump. Ingredients of a spilt broth, of a growing folly among allies’ relations, are not unusual: the USA unilateral breaking up of the nuclear agreement with Iran and the extra-territorial effects of “the strongest sanctions in history” against Teheran, which target adversaries and partners, in particular, the German and France interests , the North-American veto concerning the 2º North Stream pipeline, from Russia unto Germany, along with the parade escalade and its answer concerning the customs tariffs application, with Trump, apparently constantly disparaging, almost in all directions (the EU, NAFTA, Japan), are some of them.

Trump tried to blur the data, by suggesting Russia’s return unto the group of the seven greatest capitalist powers. In reality, the G8 never existed, unless as a virtual reality and the USA policy towards Russia has been ostensibly unfriendly with the reinforcement of economic sanctions and pressures in the political, diplomatic and military levels. And therefore, the G7 summit ended in an unusual manner, with the release of a G6 model communiqué, finishing by agreeing with Macron’s threat to “ do without” the USA…Nothing of this is to be ignored. Within the economy field, the unbridled dynamics of concentration, and the low growth taxes of capitalist powers, the deep causes of international instability and disorder along with the crossed tensions among members/ rivals within NATO, the EU and the imperialist Triad building. A World Bank recent report quotes, as being risks, that ought to drive the world unto a new crisis , in 2020, the national indebtedness increase, geopolitical tensions, political growing uncertainty, global interest rates increase, protectionist policies and the eventual financial markets’ volatility.

In parallel to the G7, which took place in Turin, the hidden Bildeberg club annual meeting, confirming the sense of opportunity of the conclave that brings together the international great capital elite. Besides artificial intelligence and emergent technologies, the EU issues (Brexit, Italy, etc…) and the turbulence within the transatlantic axe, ought to have been considered in the apprehensible agenda.

When, moreover, China hosted the 18th Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit (XCO), this week-end. The first, where India and Pakistan participated, as full members of this organization, which holds, as founder nucleus, China and Russia, currently representing more than 40% of the world population.
Although the differences amid the XCO, the Qingdao Declaration expresses the consensus round the “Shanghai spirit” and the search towards dialogue, cooperation and common progress. The promising challenge towards peace and in support of a new pattern in international relations, coming from China, is in contrast, with the disturbed ending/closing of the G7 meeting, in Quebec, and the winds of crisis (and war) that blow from the imperialist quadrant.

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