Brazilian mining giant Vale, a pioneer of the economic and trade cooperation between Brazil and China, is optimistic about bilateral ties between the countries and takes a long-term outlook on relations, said a senior executive at the enterprise.
Vale is a Brazilian multinational corporation engaged in metals and mining and one of the largest logistics operators in the South American country.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Brazil and China, while Vale started its trade contacts with China in 1973, one year before Brazil actually established commercial ties with China.
In an exclusive interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) in Sao Paulo, Alexandre Silva D'Ambrosio, the company's executive vice president of corporate and external affairs, boasted of the company's explosive growth in trade with China over the decades.
"In 1973, Vale Export made its first export of iron ore to China. That was 20,000 metric tons. Since then, we've increased our exports to China and we have reached three billion tons of iron ore over 51 years. Last year alone we exported 186 million metric tons to China of iron ore, and this year we will probably do more than that. So it's increasing and it's a long-term relationship," D'Ambrosio said.
In a meeting with foreign correspondents last month, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said China plays an essential role in the economic growth of Brazil and he hopes to forge a "new strategic partnership" between the two countries.
China's growth in the past 40 years has been notable and Brazil has much to learn from China's development experience, Lula said.
Alexandre Silva D'Ambrosio holds a similar view to the president.
"Many Chinese companies are now investing in Brazil, bringing technology to Brazil. So that's a very direct input of Chinese culture and investment in Brazil, which helps to further the livelihood of Brazilians. Also, there's an exchange in the culture of these two countries. Both China and Brazil have a long-term view of the future. Both China and Brazil are expanding their frontiers to other places in the world, so I believe there's much affinity between Brazil and China," said the executive.
"The Brazilian culture has a connection with development or looking at the future, very optimistic view of the future. I see that the Chinese have the same, and the Chinese can teach us very much about planning, about technology. The urban development in China is an example, a reference to the world how the Chinese have been able to develop their cities without destroying the cultural heritage. So there are many examples of how Brazil wants to achieve the same goals that China has," he added.
Brazilian mining giant sees affinity, common aspirations between Brazil, China
A potential trade deal between United States and China, the world's two largest economies, could benefit not only the two sides but also the global economy as a whole, said renowned British entrepreneur Martin Sorrell on Tuesday.
In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) on the sideline of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Sorrell, the Founder and Executive Chairman of the digital advertising and marketing services provider S4 Capital, shared his perspective on the evolving global economic landscape.
He said that the world is facing slower economic growth and highlighted the U.S. and China as key players for driving global economic expansion.
"You look at the world in a different way. You focus on where the growth is. So where's the growth going to be? The U.S. is going to be strong. The U.S. economy, S and P 500 Earnings this year will be up 11 percent, that's the forecast; next year, 7 percent. That's the biggest determinant of advertising growth is corporate profitability be strong, so the U.S. will be strong. Asia, very strong. If you're big in China, like Apple or Tesla, or indeed LV, you want to be bigger; If you are small in China or underweight, you probably want to be bigger. So with that one caveat, China is obviously remains really important," said Sorrell.
Donald Trump, who was sworn in as the 47th president of the United States on Monday, has repeatedly vowed to implement additional tariffs on a broad range of trading partners, including China.
Noting that the combined GDP of the U.S. and China has reached 46 trillion U.S. dollars, accounting for over 40 percent of the global total of 106 trillion U.S. dollars, Sorrell suggested that Trump's business instincts could lead him to negotiate a trade deal with China, benefiting both countries and the global economy.
"The U.S. is 28 trillion [U.S. dollars]; China, 18 trillion out of 106 [trillion], so 46 [trillion], by far the biggest part of the world economy. I think Europe is about 18 [trillion] as a whole, but no individual countries like this. So that's the most important issue. There seems to be a bit of delay in relation in considering Chinese tariffs, may be going first on Canada and Mexico rather than China. So maybe we'll see, maybe there is the hope of a deal. And I hope there will be a deal, because I think it will be good for the world, and for obviously, for both economists, they would if it happens. President Trump wrote the book, the Art of the Deal, and he's a negotiator, and he wants to do the best financially for America, and financially for America maybe a deal with China in trade is the best thing," he said.
In terms of China's economic outlook, Sorrell said he expects the Chinese economy to strengthen, adding that he thinks China will shift its trade policy to focus more on the markets that take up nearly 60 percent of the global GDP.
"My view is that it is a multipolar world. And the Americans, I can say this as British, the Americans and indeed the British have got to understand that the plates are shifting, that the Global South, the BRICS, the Next 11 are becoming more important. I look forward to a world which will be not dominated by the West, the hegemonic West, or the U.S., but more balanced and more nuanced. And I think that's what we have to get used to. I expect the Chinese economy to strengthen. China was going to alter its trade policy to emphasize that 60 trillion that is outside China and the U.S. I said it was 46 [trillion]. the world is 106. So there's 60 trillion of GDP in Latin America, in Africa, in Europe, in Asia Pacific that China can develop," said Sorrell.
Potential China-US trade deal could benefit world economy: British entrepreneur