Understanding the B-R-I-C Trading Block and Why it Matters

Trading Blocks do matter, and as the old adage goes,that regard, whether reality based or not, the World
there is power in numbers. So what happens whenMedia can certainly spin a story. Sometimes, it's not
up and coming emerging and powerful nations createwhat you do, but how it's reported, and that too
their own trading blocks? That's good right, ofbecomes a huge problem. "He who controls the
course, it is good for them, and it is good for themedia, controls the minds of the people," motif.
world, provided they are created for the rightGeraldo then stated;
reasons. Now then, let's discuss such a case study"If these countries continue to command portions of
for a moment shall we?the market at their current rate I see no obstacles in
Perhaps you follow international affairs andthem forming a very powerful economic bloc. China
geo-politics. The global economic market place is aliveand Russia can very easily establish a mutual benefit
and well with lots of choices, trading blocks, andrelationship with Brazil and India provided it can offset
options for nations, companies, and industrialto a sufficient degree the financial vacuum left by
capitalists willing to put their money where theirwestern trade agreements."
mouth is. BRIC is certainly making both headway andYes, I hear that, but those are all nations with lots of
headlines in the world media. BRIC is the trading blocklabor and manufacturing and thus, have producing
with Brazil-Russia-India-China.economies of scale. They are all selling, they need
Not long ago, I was having a rather interestingthe big buyers, the US consumer and middle class,
dialogue with a studier of US-Russian Relations duringand US purchaser, the EU. Still, Giraldo puts it into
the post cold war era to get a hold on his uniqueperspective stating;
perspective. I thus, asked Jesse Giraldo about BRICThis also puts the U.S in a difficult position as it would
and their move to de-thrown the US Dollar as thehave little reason to object to such an alliance. All
World's Reserve Currency. He immediately stated;these nations maintain decent relations with the U.S
"I'm not an economist so ill leave the financialand are certainly not considered adversaries of ours,
speculation to someone more qualified but what I canso a partnership among them for seemingly benign
tell you is that China and Russia on a United front is areasons would be a completely legitimate affair. The
very precarious Foreign policy situation for the U.S toonly chance we would have to control the situation
be in."should such a scenario occur would be to question
So, knowing his view point to be very valuable Ithe U.S's exclusion from the alliance and pressure the
continued my discussion and asked; Do you think thatBRIC to include the U.S in its alliance. At the very
their "united front" can last, or is it merely a front, asleast we could then acquire a leadership position
in a facade with weak ties, and PR posturing as itwithin the organization and thus to large degree
serves them on the economic stage; i.e. G20, G8,control over its actions.
Davos, or when it pleases them a wedge betweenWow, good point, in fact, that's a good idea, and we
the EU and US, and the US and Middle East, or USdon't need to control, we should foster those
and ASEAN trade block, or even between the USconnections to some degree because the more they
and ALBA. Every time we stand firm for a humantrade with each other the lower our trade deficits
rights issue and curtail trade with an offending nation;here. It also adds competition to the marketplace.
Russia or China runs over to make a new friend andThe problem I have with BRIC is that it was formed
promises to replace our trade flow into that nation.for the most part as a wedge "against" the US. And
It's somewhat alarming from a human rightsit often "acts" like it, as if that is its real purpose.
standpoint.Other than that, I have no other concerns with it.
Of course, the US has been accused of enough inPlease consider all this.