In our last episode for Season One of The Kids Are Alright, reporter Savannah Jenkins meets up with China expert David Schlesinger to discuss Beijing’s One Belt One Road initiative in light of trade frictions with the United States.
While a shaky trade truce may now be in place, the relationship between China and the United States is under strain. “I don’t think China knows what to expect from the United States, but they certainly can’t rely on the U.S. as they have been able to in the past,” says Savannah.
After speaking with Schlesinger about One Belt One Road, Savannah turned to friend and former colleague Marco De Nobili. A recent graduate of Roskilde University, Marco completed his thesis on how the One Belt One Road initiative reflects domestic support in China for globalization. Savannah asks Marco if an increase in populist and protectionist sentiment in Western countries may encourage China to launch other such initiatives.
