On October 7, 2024, the World Affairs Council of Jacksonville hosted a captivating Global Issues Evening at the University of North Florida, featuring David Rennie of The Economist. Rennie offered unique insights into the evolving dynamics of the U.S.-China relationship and the impacts of that relationship on geopolitics, the global economy, and ongoing and potential conflicts in Europe and Asia.
Rennie focused his presentation on the question of “what does China want?” And in response to that question suggested that the United States developed a posture of both panic and complacency. The panic stemming from China’s perceived dominance in the technology sector, its aggressive economic and geopolitical advancement in Africa and Latin America, and its alliance other autocratic regimes, namely Russia and North Korea.
Complacency on the other hand emerged due to China’s recent economic slowdown, faltering population growth credited to its “one child” policy, and failures to maintain momentum with expansion efforts like the Belt and Road initiative. Rennie suggested that the U.S. response should fall somewhere between these two poles, citing the complexity of the history, ideology, and motivations between the world’s superpowers.
Please click HERE to read World Affairs Council member Paul Herman’s detailed recap of the October 7, 2024, Global Issues Evening, which was hosted in partnership with the University of North Florida’s Distinguished Voices Lecture Series and took place at the Adam W. Herbert University Center.
As always, a world of thanks to those whose support made this presentation possible:
Event Sponsors
Davis and Sandra McCarty
Media Sponsor
