Opinion | US-China power struggle: rest of the world must come together to stand up for themselves

The rapid deterioration in US-China relations has made most small and medium-sized countries anxious. As if grappling with the devastating impact of Covid-19 was not enough, they are also increasingly sandwiched between the two great powers. Washington essentially tells them “you are either with us or with China” while Beijing uses economic coercion against those who adopt positions it deems unfriendly – case in point, Australia.

Most countries, including those under the US security umbrella, would much rather stay neutral and maintain good relations with both sides. This is easier said than done.

Today, countries of all sizes and developmental stages face pressure to compromise their sovereignty and economic development to appease either China or the US, while international bodies like the World Trade Organization and World Health Organization are turning into battlegrounds in the US-China strategic rivalry.

Washington’s campaign against the Belt and Road Initiative may have slowed China’s “going out” efforts, but at the same time it denies developing countries the infrastructure investment needed for post-pandemic recovery.

Similarly, the efforts against China’s tech companies are undermining the high-speed internet connection of about 3 billion people around the world who are not yet connected, denying them a critical tool for human development.