Question

compare and explain the ancient trade routes with today’s Belt and Road Initiative? Also, present your arguments on how these routes are connecting or not the US with top trade partners in today's world. Is US an active partner in the Belt and Road Initiative?

Answer 1

                        The Belt and Road Initiative of China is an ambitious programme that aims to connect Asia with Africa and Europe through land and maritime network to improve regional integration and thus increase the trade which could stimulate the economic growth of the area. The major ancient trade routes were the silk route, the spices route, the amber road, salt route etc which shaped the trade routes of ancient world and which initiated the trade and economic development in the ancient world. It was through these trading routes that the ancient economies emerged and the concept of international trade began. The Silk route was the major among them all which connected the ancient Chinese civilization with the Roman empire. Chinese Silk was traded with Europe in exchange of wool, silver and gold which were coming from Europe. The spices route connected the East with the West which was also instrumental in reinventing the maritime development of those times. New trade routes were discovered around these times. The Amber road connected the Baltic with the rest of Europe.

                        The Belt and road initiative is a reminiscent of the Silk Road initiative and is thus redefined as the New Silk Road initiative. The BRI has both maritime and road network which makes it different from the old routes. Another major difference is the technological advancement that has been achieved over the years which has helped the new ongoing trade network to have advantages in connectivity at a faster rate. The older trade routes, although well connected had some lag in the time as technology was less developed during those times. International connectivity has also improved a much better than the older era and new trade maps are being incorporated which has helped in the development of the ancient trade map in a much better was.

                        Considering the role of USA in the new initiative, it has been dismal. The recent advancement in the process has seen blockaded by America for the trade routes in the nation. The tensions in the South China Sea and the international relation surrounding that remains a major reason for the trade imbargo between USA and China. Moreover, the BRI is expected to cover more than 70 nations and more than 65% of the world’s population with coverage of almost one-third of the world’s GDP. Thus, considering this fact, USA which has been trading in the west also has some trade disadvantages through this networking as this would give China more inroads in to the Western belt and thus USA might lose the economic advantage of trade in the region. But, statistics have shown that BRI could increase the US GDP by more than 1% by 2040 which is an added advantage to the nation in the process. But, it has to be understood that USA has zero direct involvement in the BRI and the added advantage is due to the indirect effects of the trade on the US economy. Thus, considering this effect, it can be believed that the involvement of USA would rise in the future so that the economic advantage due to the process could be gained higher.