Washington's new Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) initiative that leaves out both China and Russia, has clearly demonstrated that US participation in China's New Silk Road project seems unlikely while its "opposition is all but certain," American energy financial analyst Robert Berke stated in a recent article on Oilprice.com.
"The [New Silk Road] project aims at no less than a revolutionary change in the economic map of the world. It is also seen by many as the first shot in a battle between east and west for dominance in Eurasia," the financial analyst stressed.
The ambitious project is meant to create a modern transit, trade and economic corridor, running from Shanghai to Berlin and forming an economic zone which will cover a population of 4.4 billion with an economic output of $21 trillion, Robert Berke elaborated.
As part of the financing of the project, Beijing has invited the international community to join its Asian International Infrastructure Bank (AIIB) initiative, and some 58 countries including most of Western Europe as well as 12 NATO members have already seized this "golden opportunity."
"In a world where economic growth is tepid, with Europe still struggling with the aftermath of the global recession, along with China's growth slowdown, where else could a project that promises so much opportunity be found?" the analyst asked rhetorically.
However, it is unlikely that Washington will join this "gold rush," the analyst noted, referring to Barack Obama's recent TPP deal, that "pointedly leaves out" Beijing and Moscow, two Pacific powers.
"If we don't write the rules, China will write the rules out in that region," the US President said about the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal, as quoted by Berke.
For instance, China and India are developing natural gas pipeline projects involving Tehran. These plans are "clearly in defiance of international sanctions" on Iran, but neither Beijing nor Delhi seem concerned. Furthermore, China has been also bolstering its cooperation with Moscow, despite Washington's displeasure.
What makes matters even worse, New Delhi has recently exposed that a number of American energy companies are also trying to conclude deals with Iran, while European policy-makers are considering cooperating with the Middle Eastern power.
China's massive project has already triggered dramatic changes in global policy, but it is likely to face a lot of Western geopolitical obstructions. "The great game" for the dominance in Eurasia between the East and the West will continue.
It is evident that geopolitical conflicts over the Silk Road Project may unleash a new Cold War between the East and the West, the analyst highlighted, adding that the outcome "is far from certain."
