Chinese trade

Observers of the position of US trade in the global economy have been making lots of frightened noises about China for a couple of decades now. China has taken a major position in the Latin American market, not to mention the North American market, and the US is clearly worried. There are some reasons to be worried beyond American self-interest, such as the growing presence of China in human-rights-abusing Sudan. But this tends to be largely a rhetorical concern on the part of American companies. Take a peek at this article from the BBC on China's trade with African nations: Chinese trade with Africa grew by 39% during the first ten months of 2005. Much of it is driven by the Chinese demand for petroleum. But the trade goes two ways and China has eased Africa's and Latin America's move into the Chinese market by lowering tariffs. New dependencies....

Se also here, here, here, here.

And also take a look at this: Africa spends US$4 billion per year, representing 35% of total official development aid to the continent, to employ some 100,000 Western experts.