Russia’s war in Ukraine can be a catalyst for strengthening the World Trade Organization – the scaffolding that holds up the global economy, write Shiro Armstrong and Yose Rizal Damuri.

‘US sanctions earned it special access to the Chinese market while disadvantaging European competitors. This levels the playing field.’ 

‘A foreign government is much less likely to hurt another country if they have a direct stake in it’.

Emerging Asian economies have been hit on all sides by Covid-19, with crumbling exchange rates, inflated foreign debts and the collapse of trade, commodity prices, tourism and investment.

The prime minister, making the first state visit to China by a Japanese leader in 11 years, is expected to announce 30 joint infrastructure projects in a development that signals a change in approach to Xi’s signature initiative