4 ms·

I may be a bit naive when it comes to international politics but when I look at a world map; I think there is one obvious place for China to get its soybeans: R

by chvid 7y ago

I may be a bit naive when it comes to international politics but when I look at a world map; I think there is one obvious place for China to get its soybeans: Russia (and other former Soviet republics). This massive piece of land may not have the effective and modern agriculture industry of USA but with enough investment and stable demand, it could have.

pavs 7y ago
Its already happening: https://www.caixinglobal.com/2019-08-06/chinese-farmers-are-growing-soybeans-in-russia-as-china-substitutes-us-suppliers-101448063.html https://www.caixinglobal.com/2019-08-06/chinese-farmers-are-...
Longlius 7y ago
Terraforming a chunk of land like the Russian east to turn it into productive farmland is possible (Brazil did something similar), but it's expensive, time-consuming, and temporary. China and Russia actually have a somewhat-standoffish relationship, and it's unlikely that Russia would invite Chinese investment into a region that it sees as a target for Chinese expansionists.
Theodores 7y ago
This is happening exactly as you suspect. Russia is going places in the world of agriculture. It is a sector that is like telecoms in that a country that is behind can leapfrog the West by putting in new infrastructure. This agricultural trade is working out with new markets sought for organic produce, 'kosher' food items and plenty else. It is also two way so Russia is best buddies with Turkey these days with agricultural trade being part of the deal. Recently Russia signed up to have Huawei put in their 5G network. There is an on-going ambition to boost bilateral trade between China and Russia. Although dollar denominated, this trade is really 'barter', China get their soybeans, Russia get their 5G network. It is a win-win for both sides. Also to remember is that Russia has had sanctions that have led to a certain level of self sufficiency. Hence the emphasis on the agricultural sector as well as manufacturing things like cars. Weapons sales are part of the picture too, good for foreign currency reserves. I think patience is running out in China and in Russia with the UK/USA and their vassal states. The recent efforts to start conflict in Venezuela and Iran have been met with resolve from both China and Russia. The world was unipolar after 9/11 with Western dominance in telecoms. Now it is a multi-polar world and all of that early dominance in mobile telecoms has evaporated. Had the UK/USA not been fighting pointless wars in places like Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya (to name a few) then I don't think this situation of backwardness would have arisen.

by chvid 7y ago

pavs 7y ago

Its already happening: https://www.caixinglobal.com/2019-08-06/chinese-farmers-are-growing-soybeans-in-russia-as-china-substitutes-us-suppliers-101448063.html https://www.caixinglobal.com/2019-08-06/chinese-farmers-are-...

Longlius 7y ago

Terraforming a chunk of land like the Russian east to turn it into productive farmland is possible (Brazil did something similar), but it's expensive, time-consuming, and temporary. China and Russia actually have a somewhat-standoffish relationship, and it's unlikely that Russia would invite Chinese investment into a region that it sees as a target for Chinese expansionists.

Theodores 7y ago

This is happening exactly as you suspect. Russia is going places in the world of agriculture. It is a sector that is like telecoms in that a country that is behind can leapfrog the West by putting in new infrastructure. This agricultural trade is working out with new markets sought for organic produce, 'kosher' food items and plenty else. It is also two way so Russia is best buddies with Turkey these days with agricultural trade being part of the deal. Recently Russia signed up to have Huawei put in their 5G network. There is an on-going ambition to boost bilateral trade between China and Russia. Although dollar denominated, this trade is really 'barter', China get their soybeans, Russia get their 5G network. It is a win-win for both sides. Also to remember is that Russia has had sanctions that have led to a certain level of self sufficiency. Hence the emphasis on the agricultural sector as well as manufacturing things like cars. Weapons sales are part of the picture too, good for foreign currency reserves. I think patience is running out in China and in Russia with the UK/USA and their vassal states. The recent efforts to start conflict in Venezuela and Iran have been met with resolve from both China and Russia. The world was unipolar after 9/11 with Western dominance in telecoms. Now it is a multi-polar world and all of that early dominance in mobile telecoms has evaporated. Had the UK/USA not been fighting pointless wars in places like Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya (to name a few) then I don't think this situation of backwardness would have arisen.