New Zealand faces challenges amid US-China dominance. Middle powers, urged by leaders, must navigate technology reliance and forge independent strategic paths.
Key Points
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A suggestion by a political commentator for New Zealand to become Australia’s seventh state highlights changing global dynamics since Trump’s presidency. This idea was dismissed by New Zealand leaders but reflects shifting debates on international alliances.
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Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urges middle powers to create practical solutions in response to evolving global challenges, emphasizing New Zealand’s potential role due to its independent foreign policy approach.
- Middle and smaller powers face difficulties in technological collaboration, reliant on US-China dominance. The concept of “workarounding” is proposed for strategic cooperation without depending on major powers, amidst critical tech reliance.
The article discusses the evolving geopolitical landscape and the complexities faced by middle powers like New Zealand amidst the dominance of superpowers such as the US and China. A political commentator humorously suggested that New Zealand might consider becoming a state of Australia in response to changes introduced by former US President Donald Trump’s administration, which disrupted the traditional rules-based international order. Although dismissed by political leaders, this suggestion underscores shifting debates.
At the World Economic Forum in Davos, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney urged middle powers to devise practical solutions amid the new global uncertainties. His call was aimed at smaller countries apprehensive about the US under Trump and the disorder between great powers. New Zealand, known for its policy of maintaining multiple alliances and independence, is seen as a potential ally in this middle-power collective action.
The article highlights the challenge of cooperation among middle and smaller powers, especially in technology sectors dominated by US-China influence. Technologies such as semiconductors, AI, and cloud computing are predominantly produced by these two technopoles, complicating efforts for independent collaboration among lesser powers. A forthcoming collection of essays explores how these nations can bypass the need to route their strategies through Washington or Beijing, a concept termed “workarounding.”
This piece, originally published by The Conversation and republished under a Creative Commons license, provides insight into the strategies smaller nations might employ to navigate the technological dependencies in today’s tumultuous geopolitical climate.
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