Could Trump’s Tariffs Turn Global Trade Topsy-Turvy
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Featured Contributor Dr. Yasir Masood explores the Global Power Shift:
From Unipolar Dominance to Multipolar Adaptation with Professor Michael Dunford of the University of Sussex
The global order is transitioning away from a unipolar system dominated by a single superpower, signalling a disruptive but transformative shift toward a more multipolar world. While the United States continues to leverage its financial and trade influence, the international system is evolving into one that prioritises equitable development, challenging historical patterns of inequality.
Historically, the global framework perpetuated significant disparities, with few exceptions such as China, which defied odds to emerge as a major economic power. Today, nations and regions are actively pursuing alternatives to traditional Western-centric models. Initiatives like regional currencies, parallel payment systems, and new alliances—not merely reactive decoupling measures—reflect a strategic "global rebalancing." These efforts aim to reduce dependency on established financial networks and foster diversified economic ecosystems.
The changing landscape underscores a critical pivot: the question is no longer about which nation leads but which adapts most effectively. As countries experiment with decentralized systems and partnerships, the focus shifts from hierarchical dominance to resilience and innovation. This transition, while fraught with short-term disruptions, could pave the way for a more inclusive international structure, mitigating the entrenched inequalities of the past.
In this era of recalibration, adaptability emerges as the defining metric of success, signalling that the future global order will reward flexibility over hegemony.
Editor's note: CGTN's First Voice provides instant commentary on breaking stories. The column clarifies emerging issues and better defines the news agenda, offering a Chinese perspective on the latest global events.
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