China’s WEF pitch gains traction among middle powers (Full Transcript)

China markets itself as a stabilizing pro-trade force as Canada and the UK re-engage, though security, Taiwan, and Russia ties keep the West wary.
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[00:00:00] Speaker 1: The middle powers must act together because if we're not at the table, we're on the menu. That came from the leader of what was one of America's closest allies, Canada. As President Trump threatens to take over Greenland and potentially Canada, we see China positioning itself as a huge contrast to the U.S. on the global stage. China's goal at the World Economic Forum is strategic. Beijing is aiming to calm global markets, showcasing its role in defending trade, multilateralism, and stability without having to confront the United States. And that pitch may be working, as we saw Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney agree to a new strategic partnership with Beijing, and that involves tearing down tariff barriers that prevented Chinese EVs from being sold in Canada. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer is also re-engaging with China, greenlighting a long-stalled request from Beijing to build a so-called mega-embassy in the centre of London ahead of an expected visit to China. But some critics say the embrace of China from the West remains reluctant or even hesitant. The EU is moving away from Chinese telecom giants Huawei and ZTE over security concerns, not to mention tensions over Taiwan are one of the biggest potential threats to global economic stability. And China's close ties to Moscow continue to undermine Beijing's neutrality claims as Russia's war in Ukraine grinds on.

ai AI Insights
Arow Summary
Middle powers are urged to coordinate to avoid being sidelined as President Trump floats taking over Greenland and possibly Canada. China uses the World Economic Forum to project itself as a stabilizing defender of trade and multilateralism without directly confronting the U.S., a message that appears to resonate. Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney pursues a strategic partnership with Beijing, including reducing tariff barriers affecting Chinese EV sales. The UK’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer also re-engages, approving a long-delayed Chinese plan for a large London embassy ahead of an expected China visit. However, Western engagement remains cautious due to security moves against Huawei/ZTE, Taiwan-related risks, and China’s continued closeness to Moscow amid the Ukraine war.
Arow Title
China courts middle powers as West cautiously re-engages
Arow Keywords
middle powers Remove
Canada Remove
Greenland Remove
Donald Trump Remove
World Economic Forum Remove
China Remove
trade Remove
multilateralism Remove
global markets Remove
Mark Carney Remove
Chinese EVs Remove
tariffs Remove
Keir Starmer Remove
mega-embassy Remove
Huawei Remove
ZTE Remove
EU security concerns Remove
Taiwan Remove
Russia Remove
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Arow Key Takeaways
  • Middle powers feel pressure to coordinate amid perceived U.S. unpredictability.
  • China is positioning itself as a pro-trade, stabilizing alternative narrative at WEF without overtly challenging the U.S.
  • Canada and the UK are exploring renewed engagement with Beijing, including trade and diplomatic infrastructure.
  • Western re-engagement remains constrained by security concerns (Huawei/ZTE), Taiwan-related escalation risks, and China–Russia ties during the Ukraine war.
Arow Sentiments
Neutral: The tone is analytical and geopolitically focused, balancing China’s market-stabilizing pitch and Western re-engagement with clear caveats about security risks, Taiwan tensions, and Russia ties.
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