Wallnor & PM: Have We Really Learned Anything from Trading with Dictatorships?

In light of recent discussions on the trade war with China, it's crucial to reflect on the lessons we should have learned from past dealings with dictatorships.

In a time when scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated and cunning in their methods to deceive consumers, parallels can be drawn to how certain actors in the business world seem to struggle with learning from historical mistakes. Wallnor & PM, a podcast that frequently discusses current events and political issues, recently covered the topic of China and the trade war with the USA in their episode "Wallnor & PM: Så hanterar vi Kina efter handelskriget." But have they truly grasped the risks of trading with dictatorships?

The Swedish Financial Supervisory Authority (Finansinspektionen) recently reported on how scammers exploit economic downturns and use fake advertisements to deceive consumers. These scammers build credible facades and leverage the latest trends, such as AI and cryptocurrencies, to attract victims. Similarly, China has long used its economic power to influence and manipulate international trade relations.

Wallnor & PM often discuss Sweden's and Europe's relationship with China, and it is clear that they are aware of the economic benefits of trading with China. However, it seems they have not fully internalized the political and security risks. Just as scammers exploit consumers' economic pressures, China has used its position to influence and sometimes undermine democratic values.