The art of war
«America First» armed on our
heads
Manlio Dinucci
President Trump disembarked
from the helicopter at the World Economic Forum in Davos. Here, preceded by the
brass players of the orchestra of Friborg, he announced that «The world is witnessing the resurgence of a strong and
prosperous America», thanks to the tax cuts and reforms implemented by his administration on
the principle of «America First», that is putting America in the first place.
This «does not mean America alone: when the United States
grows, so does the world». But, he added, «we cannot have free and open trade
if some countries exploit the system at the expense of others». The reference
is especially clear to China and Russia, accused of «distorting global markets»
through «industrial subsidies and a pervasive state-led economic planning».
The crux of the question consequently emerges. The United
States is still the world leading economic power, especially thanks to the
capitals they use to dominate the global financial market, the multinationals
which they exploit resources with in every continent, their owned technological
patents, the pervasive role of their multimedia groups influencing people’
opinions and ways on a planetary scale.
Their economic supremacy (including the dollar), however,
is being increasingly endangered by new States and social actors emerging.
First of all China: its gross national income rose up to the second world place
after the US. China is the «factory of the world» in which also many large US
groups produce. It has therefore become the world leading exporter of goods. In
return, China is increasing investments both in the US and in the EU, and in
Africa, Asia and Latin America (in these areas on infrastructures above all).
The most ambitious project, launched by China in 2013 and
shared by Russia, is that of the New Silk Road: a land (road and rail) and
maritime network connecting China to Europe through Central and Western Asia
and through Russia. If the project (which does not include military components)
is accomplished according to the original
idea, it would reshape the geopolitical architecture of the whole Eurasia,
creating a new network of economic and political relations between the States
of the continent.
The globalization that United States promoted, confident of dominating it, now turns against them. The
increasing of 50% on duties for washing machines and solar panels, set by the
Trump administration to affect China’s
and South Korea’s export, are not a sign of strength but weakness.
Losing ground on the
economic globalization level, United States is focusing on military
globalization: «We are making historic investments in the American military -
announced Trump in Davos - because we cannot have prosperity without security».
The US already has bases and
other military installations in over 70 countries, especially around Russia and
China. There are more than 170 countries where US troops are deployed. European
powers of NATO join in this strategy, despite having contrasts of interest with
the US, and line up under US leadership when it comes to defending the economic
and political order dominated by the West.
This is the scenario of the
increasingly dangerous US/NATO escalation in Europe against Russia, represented
as the enemy threatening us from the East. Any debate on the European Union and
on the Euro ignoring this issue, means playing a game with rigged cards in
front of the voters, as they do in the current electoral campaign.
(il manifesto, 30
January, 2018)
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