The US government's trade protectionist measures risk destabilizing global commerce and contradict principles of free trade, former South African diplomat Gert Grobler warned in a recent interview with CMG. Describing the policies as "short-sighted", Grobler cautioned that American consumers and businesses will ultimately "pay a heavy price" for such maneuvers.
Speaking in his capacity as a seasoned foreign policy analyst, Grobler emphasized that restrictive tariffs disrupt supply chains and undermine multilateral cooperation. "Such actions erode trust in the rules-based trading system and stifle opportunities for emerging economies," he stated, noting the potential ripple effects across Asian markets central to global economic growth.
His remarks come amid heightened scrutiny of US-China trade dynamics, with analysts monitoring impacts on manufacturing hubs and investment flows in Southeast Asia. Grobler urged governments to prioritize "transparent dialogue over unilateral measures" to safeguard economic interdependence.
