Skip to main content
The G7, economic coercion and the art of projection
The rich nations of the group of seven are intent on maintaining their collective interest as world powers at the expense of the global South. Pretending otherwise doesn’t stand up to scrutiny, writes CARLOS MARTINEZ
MUTUALLY BENEFICIAL: Africa's urban rail transit project in Addis Ababa after securing funds from the Export-Import Bank of China. Trial operations were begun in February 2015 [(L to R) Turtlewong/Wikiwand/CC and A.Savin/CC]

THE stunning hubris and hypocrisy of the imperialist powers was on full display in Hiroshima last weekend, with the G7 condemning China for a “disturbing rise” in its “weaponisation of economic vulnerabilities.”

Coercion is, after all, at the heart of what unites the countries of the G7 — a for-us-by-us club of rich nations with a collective interest in maintaining their place at the top of the geopolitical pyramid. 

Each member state built its wealth to a significant degree on the basis of colonialism and the exploitation of the land, labour, resources and markets of the global South.

The US is the global champion of economic coercion

China a victim of economic coercion

Debt trap debunked

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
Similar stories
ENVIABLE APPROVAL RATES: A street scene from Beijing, yesterday. A 13-year study by the Harvard Ash Center, have found satisfaction with the central government running above 90 per cent – a figure no Western government has approached in living memory
Media / 12 August 2026
12 August 2026

CARLOS MARTINEZ responds to liberal hawk Simon Tisdall’s evidence-free China-bashing and asks whose agenda it really serves

Military personnel march past a banner which reads ‘Celebrating the 105th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China’ at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, July 1, 2026
History / 4 July 2026
4 July 2026

Marking milestones in the histories of China and the United States, this week offers a chance to examine two very different visions of the international order, says CARLOS MARTINEZ

MUCH TO PONDER: President Donald Trump boards Air Force One on May 15 2026, at Beijing Capital International Airport - first from the left is China's Foreign Minister Wang Yi
Features / 21 May 2026
21 May 2026

JENNY CLEGG looks at the key points that defined the China-US relationship, for now

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul speaks to the media during a joint press conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara, Turkey, October 17, 2025
International Relations / 30 October 2025
30 October 2025

The cancelled China trip of the German Foreign Minister marks a break with Helmut Schmidt’s China policy and drives Germany further into Washington’s confrontation course, warns SEVIM DAGDELEN