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Letters

China is on an amazing trajectory. From joining the World Trade Organization to now, its development curve has been very steep. I attribute this to superb leadership.
There will be challenges ahead, but judging by the past, the future looks bright. Unfortunately, there are a collection of nations which believe they will prosper by stifling China.
I envision a multipolar world where globalisation enriches everyone, not one where dependencies are weaponised in the name of empire (or cultural supremacy).
The United States is choosing a win-lose scenario, believing it is a zero-sum game, but it isn’t. A win-win scenario would involve making global trade the top priority, instead of cultural and military supremacy.
The next scientific breakthrough that brings us unimaginable wealth could come from anywhere. Let’s pump that up, not military spending.
Brad Arnold, Minneapolis
Converting communist nations isn’t a competitive strategy
I grew up at a time when capitalism was the winner and communism – not only in Vietnam – was seen as evil.
The dispute regarding the benefits of the one or the other is still in full swing.
From a purely capitalistic standpoint, which incorporates the survival of the fittest, we should be careful when condemning communism, for example, or other forms of governing.
If I govern my country in a democratic way and I know that this is a very superior way of governing, then I should be happy if any other country has a less efficient governing system. Such a country couldn’t be a competitor.
To translate this into business terms: if my competitor has an inferior way of running his business, and my way is so much more successful, I would not even dream of teaching him my way of running his business.
So why can’t the capitalistic countries simply not leave the less well governed countries in peace, while enjoying our superiority?
Roland Guettler, Lai Chi Kok
Who profits from the war in Ukraine?
A major reason for the war in Ukraine is the warmongers in the United States and other Nato nations want war because it could be highly profitable to the tune of trillions of dollars for the war and Big Oil industries. Oil companies in the West will benefit from replacing Russia as a highly profitable supplier of oil and gas to western Europe and jumped at the opportunity as soon as the war started.
We shouldn’t forget that the Obama administration in 2014 championed demonstrations against the elected Ukrainian government, which was replaced with a pro-US government. Ukraine has substantial oil and gas reserves.
The episode was reminiscent of the 1953 coup in Iran instigated by the United States and United Kingdom which overthrew the Mosaddegh socialist government in favour of the more pliable and cooperative shah. By one count, the US has been at war at some point in over 90 per cent of the years since its founding in 1776 up until 2018. It has staged many coups around the world usually with two purposes: economic benefits for American industries and to justify a defence budget that approaches US$1 trillion, by far the highest in the world.
Morris Givner, Halifax, Canada


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Opinion

Readers discuss the US’ current policy towards China, why lecturing communist countries isn’t a good capitalist strategy, and a possible motive behind US support for Ukraine


Readers discuss the US’ current policy towards China, why lecturing communist countries isn’t a good capitalist strategy, and a possible motive behind US support for Ukraine.


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Trade

Letters | US need not play a zero-sum game with China

Readers discuss the US’ current policy towards China, why lecturing communist countries isn’t a good capitalist strategy, and a possible motive behind US support for Ukraine