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Hiroshima. Group from G7 often declared dead. However, at their meeting in Japan, groups from Germany and six other industrial democracies demonstrated that they were still justified. However, in the future, this will not be based on their economic strength but rather on a desire to shape the destiny of the world in this very century – a century in which all eyes will be turned to Asia. This is good news for Europe at a time of many crises.

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The amalgamation of the major industrialized nations began as the “economic pinnacle of the world”: by the mid-1970s, the group could still claim to have world power in their hands – economically and politically. But the balance has shifted in a major way since then. While the G7 countries once created 80 percent of global economic growth, it is currently around 45 percent. Only every tenth person on earth lives in one of the six western democracies and Japan.

China and India are now the most populous countries in the world. Economically, the importance of the G7 diminishes to the two Asian giants, but also Indonesia, Brazil and the fast developing countries of Africa continue to increase rapidly.

Facing China: The G7 vying for political power in the world

The fact that the old powers are also fighting politically for their positions vis-à-vis new competitors can be seen in the extent to which the G7 dealt with China at their meeting and in the final declaration. Anyone who doesn’t share a unified position on a future superpower in the 21st century will find it difficult to assert themselves against Beijing’s unconditional struggle for dominance.

In Hiroshima, the G7 agreed on a balanced strategy. On the one hand, China is offered stable cooperation – both in economic relations and in global issues such as the fight against climate change. On the other hand, clear warnings about military adventurism emanate from the summit. Is this balancing effort successful, remains to be seen. Thanks to the efforts of Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the positioning is less confrontational.

Putin established himself, Selenskyj is a guest of the free world

Russia’s war against Ukraine will remain a test for the G7. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy’s visit to the meeting was one of them sign of strength: While Russian head of state Vladimir Putin, who has an international arrest warrant, is allegedly hiding behind a double and in a secret residence, Zelenskyj is a guest of the free world. This could offer Selenskyj a forum where invited heads of state from India and Brazil also attend to discuss Russia’s war of aggression.

Also read: Fighter jets for Ukraine – will it turn the tide of the war?

The countries of the Global South will play an important role if the day comes when Putin can be persuaded to step down. However, the debate over shipping to Ukraine shows that this point in time is still far away fighter jets.

Zelenskyy wants at least one coalition of fighter jets medium term project. But the longer the war lasts, the greater the burden on its supporters. At their summit, the G7 promised assistance to the country “as long as necessary to achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting peace”. Whether they can fulfill this will determine the future relevance of the alliance. Also in the eyes of a strategic challenger like China.

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Sunday, May 21, 2023, 12:11 pm