British companies have spent years increasing imports from China, especially key minerals and commodities.
British companies have paid a part in China’s unprecedented development, which has made the Middle Kingdom the world’s second-largest economy and raised hundreds of millions out of poverty. The crushing of democracy movements and breaking of international treaties on Hong Kong, threats to invade Taiwan, island building in the South China Sea and subtle colonisation of Africa all point to a China which is determined to coerce, threaten and challenge the existing global order.
Steel, iron, aluminium, lithium, cobalt, graphite, silicon and tin all flow through and are dominated by Chinese suppliers. These are crucial for the production of most modern goods including electronics, electric cars and wind turbines. This is not a problem only for the UK government. Sectors with national security implications have a key role – the private sector cannot simply treat China as just another customer, just another investor.
About time.
From globalization to polarization!