Perhaps the main reason for the current mess is the decisions made more than two decades ago!

In 2000, the US was the largest trading partner of most countries in the world.

China?

It was not yet part of the WTO — it would only become part of it in December 2001.

📈 20 years later: the game has completely changed

In 2024, red dominated the map.

China has become the main trading partner for dozens of countries — including historic US allies such as Japan, Germany, Australia and much of Latin America.

That was no accident. It was strategy.

China bet on: • Industrial scale • Trade surplus • Accumulation of dollar reserves • Diplomacy via infrastructure, credit and trade

About that…

🇺🇸 The US was distracted

• War on terror • Subprime bubble • Internal polarization and political stagnation

American companies moved production to China in search of low costs.

Result: China gained capital, technology and global influence.

The United States tries to react

• Tariffs and trade restrictions • Friendshoring and industry incentives • Global race for chips and critical minerals • Sanctions and financial containment with a strong dollar

Is it already too late or are we just seeing the beginning of a new global equilibrium?

What do you think?