The most influential leaders of the world’s developed countries are trying to meet their own needs and production, importing little or nothing from neighboring states in recent years. Now the question is, what will affect these developed countries and their economic condition? Will this change disturb him or make him safer? Or complete the entire country economically developed by the day.
All influential leaders worldwide seem to share the mission of making their countries “self-reliant” and not dependent on anyone but themselves. From Joe Biden, who announced some time ago that solving the manufacturing industry, the economic future, and all current and future climate problems will be a headache for America itself, some other leaders, including Chinese leader Xi Jinping who advocated “Zili Gangsheng” and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who said “Atma Nirbhar Bharat” both translates to “self-reliance.”
Even as Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine weighs on the EU trade bloc’s dependence on Russian gas, European energy prices are at risk this winter and possible blackouts. Attacks on Ukraine, a major global supplier of wheat and other crops, have also pushed up international food prices, raising questions about the reliability of their food imports worldwide. Not to mention, Europe also prefers domestic production over imports.
Experts say this is a new change in the views of the world and influential countries, as, for the last 40 years, friendly import and export relations with the neighboring state were considered beneficial and essential for the country’s prosperity. But now, all those states are pursuing the same desired goal of becoming “nationally and economically self-reliant” or undergoing a “suicidal turn” in Greek.
It is scientifically proven that when it comes to energy, modern domestic renewable energies such as wind and solar have negligible carbon emissions compared to fossil fuels such as gas, oil, and coal. So, countries need to try to do more at home, not just for safety reasons, but to prevent catastrophic global warming this century.
As for the food argument, experts like City University’s Tim Lang are urging states to grow their commodities and crops to prevent health and environmental problems because importing food from a neighboring state poses two risks, first. The health of the nations can be compromised if the goods used in the country reach the government from a distance, and ultimately, the importing party must bear the brunt of the losses due to war, accidents, and bad weather.
Ceyla Pazarbasioglu, director of the strategy at the International Monetary Fund, agrees that the resilience of countries’ energy and food supply chains is undoubtedly essential. But at the same time, he is wary of the harmful effects of self-determination efforts on less developed countries.
“In the aftermath of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, we have seen around 30 countries imposing export restrictions, this has implications for many and especially the most vulnerable because their consumption of food is much greater in terms of their overall consumption,” She said.
Speaking of the effects of self-resilience, it is not only the less developed nation that will face difficulties in catching up with developed states and their economic stability. However, developed countries may also face similar challenges. For example, Britain would change the country’s diet significantly to stop imports such as bananas and pineapples. According to experts, Britain may have to eat much less meat as land for grazing animals will have to be devoted to crops.
