GMF celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the Stockholm China Forum in partnership with the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Sweden in Stockholm this June 16-17. The topics covered ranged from the North Korea nuclear crisis and security dynamics in the Asia Pacific to trade policy and the trajectory of US-EU-China relations under a Trump administration.

A storyline of the event below will guide you through the discussions and the broader questions, arguments, and thoughts on the state of play of the trilateral relationship.

Notes from Stockholm China Forum 18

By Amy Studdart

“Reciprocity, Trade and the WTO: the end of the rules-based economic order?”

In both the U.S. and the U.K., localities directly affected by large influxes in Chinese imports have seen a rise in political extremism. This “China shock” has led to several Western officials and economists to call for “reciprocity.” However, this bi-lateral tit-for-tat approach undermines the multi-lateral, rules-based international Liberal order. 

Read more here.

“A New World Order” 

As the world transitions from the industrial age to the digital age, the big players are competing for power. Although America has been the unilateral guarantor of the liberal international order in the past, there is a solid argument that non-state actors and coalitions will eclipse the role that superpowers have played in sustaining the international order. The question is whether that order will become less liberal, less international, and/or less ordered. 

Read more here.

“China on the Ascent?”

As both Europe and America deal with their own, separate issues and become increasingly divided on international issues, the Chinese economy and government show no signs of failing. While China continues to rise in prominence and work towards a “technical autocracy,” there is a growing rift between Sino-European and Sino-American relations that risks the West’s ability to apply pressure on China to help level the global economic playing field.       

Read more here.

“How China Sees the World in the Age of Trump”

Amy Studdart sat down with Shi Yinhong, professor at Renmin University and advisor to the Chinese State Council, to discuss Trump, the state of the liberal order, and the trajectory of U.S. China relations.  

Read more here.

“Why nationalists are so bad at foreign policy”

By: David Rennie, Lexington

Nationalist politicians are often oblivious to the fact that other countries have politics too. Trump and others like him have no problem offending the public in other nations but show little understanding of how their rhetoric can actually have an adverse effect in shaping the policies they are pushing for.

Read more here.

Stockholm China Forum in Tweets: