The Chinese analogue of the Monroe Doctrine and the Middle Corridor can be viewed as a key tool for its implementation

The global stock and financial markets are experiencing significant turbulence as a result of the intensified trade and tariff disputes between the United States and China. While the increase in tariffs was suspended for a period of 90 days in other countries, the administration of Donald Trump continued the 'tariff race' against China, increasing tariffs on goods to a prohibitive level of 145%. The US stock market itself has exhibited signs of apprehension in response to each successive round of trade and tariff confrontation with China, undergoing a decline in value subsequent to each announcement of tariff increases.
It is conceivable that a certain 'tariff equilibrium' will be achieved through compromise in the near future. Nevertheless, it is evident that global trade will never be the same again. It is imperative that China revises its strategies with haste and, most crucially, re-prioritizes its access to foreign markets. It is becoming evident that China's substantial market share in exports to the United States, while its trade and investment expansion to Eurasian countries is 'lagging', renders the Chinese economy vulnerable and dependent on the same 'tariff pressure' from the United States. Conversely, a strategic shift in focus towards domestic markets within the Eurasian continent, coupled with a deliberate and proactive policy of fostering economic development, is poised to consolidate China's preeminent economic standing on the global stage.
In certain respects, it would be beneficial for the People's Republic of China to draw lessons from the historical experience of the United States of America. The emergence of the United States as a global power was a process that unfolded over several stages. The establishment of US economic hegemony on the American continent was of the utmost importance, a process that was facilitated to a considerable extent by the Monroe Doctrine. This was a declaration (doctrine) of the principles of US foreign policy ('America for Americans'), proclaimed on December 2, 1823, in the annual message of US President James Monroe to the US Congress.
The Monroe Doctrine was pursued by the authorities in Washington for the subsequent decades. It is evident that the USA adopted a distinctly negative stance towards Latin American countries. This was characterized by the direct seizure of foreign territories and military intervention. However, the primary objective of the Monroe Doctrine was to establish economic relations with the countries of the American continent and to maximize the economic 'ousting' of competitors from European colonial powers. Consequently, the substantial Latin American market enabled the US economy to more effectively manage crisis phenomena. The process of 'economic development' that took place on the American continent was the catalyst for the rise of the US as a superpower.
It is conceivable that China could adopt a doctrine of a similar nature in its relations with Eurasian countries. In a manner analogous to the United States' former declaration of the principle of 'America for Americans', China could potentially attract Eurasian countries with the principle of 'Eurasia for Eurasians'.
In comparison to the United States, which established its connections with Latin American nations predominantly via maritime routes (with the exception of Mexico, which is adjacent to the US and shares a land border), China possesses the potential to reorient trade logistics towards trans-Eurasian land-based transportation networks. The most promising route is the Middle Corridor, which traverses China, Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, Azerbaijan, and Georgia, ultimately reaching Europe.
The development of the Middle Corridor is expected to facilitate the growth of China's trade with Eurasian countries, with maritime communications vulnerability no longer posing an obstacle to this trade. Furthermore, it can be posited that a rational progression in the evolution of the Middle Corridor would entail the establishment of China's proprietary deep-water port along the Black Sea shoreline, thereby facilitating uninterrupted commodity transit from China to the Atlantic basin. Anaklia, located in western Georgia, is poised to become a significant port of call.
Levan Davitashvili, the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia, recently delivered a speech at an economic forum on the construction process of Anaklia Port. In his address, he indicated that there is a high probability that the port will be completed ahead of schedule. It is understood that, according to the aforementioned source, despite the stipulated date for the receipt of the initial vessels at the port being 2028, there exists a possibility that the commencement of ship-receiving operations at the port may be initiated as early as the final quarter of 2027.
Construction commenced last year. The preparatory stage has now been finalized, and all the necessary prerequisites for the transition to active construction of marine infrastructure have been met. All legal processes, including environmental impact assessment and the procurement of construction permits, are at the final stage. "The port in Anaklia is undergoing rapid development with a view to addressing the infrastructure deficit as expeditiously as possible. Once a competitive, quality, and modern infrastructure has been established, the country will become more attractive in comparison to other alternatives and, in the long term, it will be possible to secure cargo flows in the country's transport corridor," said Levan Davitashvili.
In view of the present challenging geopolitical circumstances, it is imperative for China to substantially augment the flow of commodities along the Middle Corridor and to expedite the commencement of operations at the Anaklia port. This will enable China to reorient its exports towards Central Asia, the Near and Middle East, Europe, and the Mediterranean, thereby reducing its economic reliance on the U.S. market.
GSR

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