![Quote](images/misc/quote_icon.png)
Originally Posted by
Chik
I can't get into the specifics, only to say that the UN-mandated forum / platform is directly related to human rights and labour issues, but if the response isn't a snort of laughter, it is almost invariably something equally dismissive. The US are not highly skilled in persuasion and often prefer to resort to bullying. Canada and Australia tend to aggressively align with the US position, which enhances the impression that US are engaging in bullying, which in turn makes their collective approach even more counterproductive and creating opportunities for China and Russia to enhance their influence. The UK have the same tendency in aligning with the US, but until Brexit, they were on a short leash because the EU are represented in the forum as a bloc.
Also, I'm not certain that economic sanctions are universally effective. I tend to think that they can be effective when the target is a small country with limited financial resources. However, when it comes to larger targets like China, I'm not so sure. Countries with resources can simply redirect and redistribute their tactics. Yes, the Huawei sanctions did have an impact. On Huawei. Did it actually change the behaviour of the Chinese government? I'm not so sure. There are a couple of Canadians in China that might have a perspective on this.
With a small country, sanctions may create enough domestic pressure to force a regime change from within, creating real opportunities for behavioural change. With a large country, I think it's a bit more complicated.
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