Globalization: Winners and losers in world trade (1/2) | DW Documentary

The Changing Landscape of Globalization00:00:03

Globalization, once hailed as a path to global prosperity, is facing mounting skepticism due to heightened economic competition and shifting geopolitical priorities.

Duisburg: Adapting to Global Trade00:01:55

The German city of Duisburg has transformed its industrial identity by becoming a key logistics hub on China's 'New Silk Road,' illustrating both the opportunities and the risks of depending on global supply chains.

US Steel and the Cost of Protectionism00:07:38

The American 'Rust Belt' faces ongoing struggles as steel plants close in the face of cheap foreign competition, leading to intense debates over protectionist tariffs, 'America First' policies, and the limitations of the WTO.

Agricultural Subsidies and Market Distortion00:18:45

The documentary analyzes how American agricultural subsidies serve domestic political interests while simultaneously distorting international markets, often harming farmers in developing nations.

Peru: The Struggles of the Informal Economy00:24:54

In Peru, economic mismanagement and dependency on raw material exports to China leave much of the population in an informal sector with few safety nets, raising questions about equitable growth.

Microcredit as a Development Tool00:33:44

Local success stories in Peru demonstrate how microfinance initiatives can help small-scale entrepreneurs and families lift themselves out of poverty, though they represent only a partial solution to systemic economic issues.

The Future of Global Cooperation00:40:40

The film concludes that while globalization is currently in crisis, it remains essential. The way forward involves strengthening multilateral cooperation and addressing the inequalities created by the current trade system rather than retreating into isolationism.