Internet meme:
{ “America has no permanent friends or enemies, only interests”. - Henry Kissinger "}
Apparently Kissinger at least said something similar, and on several occasions.
Philosophically, I view the UK , Canada, EU, Australia, Japan, Scandinavia, Baltics n South Korea expanding their trade partnerships both internally and with each other as a HUGE POSITIVE.
We’ve seen evidence that relying on only one source for goods, raw materials, natural resources, refining, expertise, energy, or protection is … fraught with peril.
- the world supported AND BUILT China as the “factory for the world”… The perils were discussed and then COVID proved those perils. Subsequent geopolitics has proved em, as China uses its “monopolistic factory power” to challenge and threaten the stability of the US and it’s “allies”.
REEs.
Solar panels.
Most things related to ICs n digital infrastructure.
Cheap stuff.
Dependence on Russia for fossil fuels, is especially perilous to the EU, and especially Germany.
Cuba is (apparently) in crisis due to relying on Russia and Venezuela for its energy needs.
Dependence on the US for global policing, protection, etc. so called Pax Americana.
This has been a double edged sword. The world got “safe trade routes”, but the US taxpayer is now under significant debt, due in part, to building n maintaining the military n policing in infrastructure.
Not to mention the “anger” that being THE “policeperson” engenders.
If our allies become individually stronger (self reliance, self produced stuff) and between themselves … If the US should need their support, we’ll ALL be stronger.
Experts have been recommending that “we” build our own “supply webs/chains”.
Stronger “allies, friends, and interests” will make us all stronger.
In my personal life, I’ve always strived for self sufficiency and self reliance.
The philosophy of the 3-legged stool in finance is an example of strength in diversity.
I think most people here on METAR follow some type of self sufficiency n self reliance.
To sum up, I would rather our “allies” become stronger, than our adversaries.
And I think that’s a BIG positive .
ralph