Issue Global middle-power coordination with like-positioned countries

Summary

The report doubts that China's expanding global influence will proceed smoothly, since the existing order was built around Western advanced economies and trust in the Chinese model remains low. With the US absent from global rule-making and resistance to China persisting, the role of global middle powers is becoming more important. Korea is urged to respond to both powers' expanding influence through strategic coordination with like-positioned countries, a cooperative group that can bridge developed and developing economies within multilateral institutions. Proposed areas of joint action include preventing economic, supply-chain and technological fragmentation, restoring the free-trade order and stabilising supply chains. Partnerships on advanced technology, climate and energy transition, and on deterring disruption of the global economic and trade order are also listed.