Chapter 1087 Thawing relations with Britain
Among the world's naval forces, the British Royal Navy is the only one, while the navies of the United States, Germany, and France belong to the second echelon, and Japan and East Africa belong to the third echelon. Other navies can also be subdivided, such as the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Tsarist Russia. , Spain belongs to the fourth echelon...
But aside from the transcendent existence of the British Royal Navy, any country in the second echelon has already formed a huge advantage over other countries in the world, and France is the gatekeeper of the second echelon.
Even this goalkeeper is nearly twice as powerful as the third-tier East African or Japanese navies, so the current gap between navies in the world is too wide.
Sweet said: "The French navy is at the bottom of the second echelon among world navies. Our East African navy should at least squeeze into the second echelon. Moreover, the French navy has shown insufficient stamina in competition with countries like Germany and the United States, so it is also Our best reference.”
According to the current economic and industrial development situation of various countries around the world, France has actually fallen behind, and the French navy's capabilities and energy in the arms race also appear to be stretched thin.
If it were the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany, it would not be like France. In fact, the East African navy has developed rapidly, as has the British, American and German navies. Now these three countries are far from showing decline in the arms race.
It’s just that the British Royal Navy has more considerations. Its competitors are never limited to a single country, but the entire world. This is why the UK is under greater pressure. If it loses its naval superiority, British hegemony will also collapse.
Ernst said: "The results of this meeting are already obvious. The East African navy should at least reach the second echelon strength. This is also the bottom line for our next negotiations with the United Kingdom. Of course, this standard is floating, so we can take advantage of this floating to put pressure on the UK to make more concessions.”
Even if the country's naval development is limited to a certain space through negotiations with the United Kingdom, the East African Navy should also develop to a certain stage. At least the current East African Navy's tonnage level of 400,000 tons is far from enough. This is also the consensus within the East African government. After all, the Navy Without sufficient strength, East Africa may become a lamb to be slaughtered in the future.
Ernst continued: "Now that the bottom line of our navy has been determined, let's discuss what benefits we should obtain from the United Kingdom. Everyone will share their thoughts."
Sweet: "First of all, there is the issue of South America. South America is an emerging market currently anchored in East Africa. On this issue, we have differences with the UK, but they are just minor issues. Therefore, opening up the South American market to our country should be the basis. One of the conditions.”
“Our country’s industry has now reached a certain stage of development and there is an urgent need to open up more markets. If we simply squeeze the domestic market, it will easily cause many problems, so domestic and overseas markets need to go hand in hand.”
"In addition to the South American market, we should also take initiatives in other areas of the British economic influence, such as India, Australia and other regions. Due to British restrictions, our trade with India has actually been carried out in secret, and it is difficult to achieve success. This is reflected in This is especially true in the entire British-controlled international market.”
“So this time we have contact with the UK, we may try to thaw the economy, politics, diplomacy and other aspects with the UK, which is extremely beneficial to the development of our country’s industry.”
Although the British sanctions did not have the expected effect, this definitely does not mean that the East African government is not uncomfortable, especially when the United Kingdom occupies a dominant position in the international market. The entire United Kingdom directly controls nearly one-fifth of the world. 1 market share, covering a population of 400 million. In addition, the UK can also indirectly affect independent national markets in Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, the Far East, South America, North America and other regions.
Although British industry is no longer enough to support Britain's advantage over other countries in the world, the United Kingdom controls trade channels. This trade channel can be easily leaked to some small countries, even medium countries, and even big countries, which is enough for these countries to eat and drink. Oil, the most typical examples are Argentina, Japan and the United States.
Argentina is the natural pasture of the United Kingdom, and Japan is also a tool supported by the British government to balance the Far East. As for the United States, it has also received a large amount of investment from the United Kingdom. If these investments want to reap benefits, the United Kingdom will naturally open the back door to the United States. After all, the bosses behind American factories are most likely British. Now American industry actually plays the role of British OEM.
It can be seen from this that the UK has a strong influence in the world economy. East Africa is naturally very coveted for this influence. Unfortunately, due to its relationship with the UK, East Africa was unable to join in in the past. That is why Sweet mentioned using the help of the UK. This opportunity enabled a thaw in British relations.
Regarding this point, Ernst also held a positive attitude. He said: "Although the United Kingdom has always been hostile to our country in the past, this is actually a political burden for us and the United Kingdom, so we take this opportunity and It is beneficial for our country to ease relations with the UK.”
In fact, Ernst also thought about one thing, that is, in the previous world war, the United States was able to eat all the money behind the British back, which was inseparable from the economic binding between the two countries. If the European War breaks out, the relationship between East Africa and the United Kingdom will have no substance. sexual changes, which is not conducive to East Africa's war dividends.
Therefore, by improving the relationship between the two countries in advance, attracting British businessmen to invest in East Africa, and laying a framework foundation in advance, East Africa can gain more advantages in the future. Therefore, taking this opportunity to achieve economic cooperation with the United Kingdom, the advantages outweigh the disadvantages.
As for the future, there is no need to consider East Africa. By the time the war is over, Britain will have almost reached the era of imperial afterglow. By then, emerging countries such as East Africa, the United States, and Japan will launch anti-British activities.
Even this is true in the military field. Currently, East Africa is generous to others and complies with the British call to slow down the expansion of its navy. But when the European war starts, Britain will not have the energy to find trouble in East Africa.
After all, it doesn’t matter whether the East African navy develops faster or slower. Although it is said to be far behind other countries, it is still the sixth level in the world. In the context of mutual restraint among countries in the world, no country can devote all its energy to deal with the East African navy.
Hence, East Africa actually takes the initiative in this contact with the British government. As long as a consensus is finally reached, it will have favorable results for East Africa.
Of course, the premise is that East Africa can find its own position. As long as East Africa does not adopt a slightly extreme diplomatic strategy like Germany, Britain is not untouchable.
Of course, what gives the East African government the confidence is the significant improvement in comprehensive national strength. Without the improvement in national strength, Britain cannot calmly sit at the same table with East Africa. Everything is based on strength and status.
After determining the general premise for thawing relations with the UK, Ernst said: "Now we have once again reached a consensus, which is to ease relations with the UK, strengthen cooperation in the economic field between the two countries, and gain more markets."
The East African government is not fanciful in thinking this way. There is indeed huge room for cooperation between the two countries. East Africa is eager for the British market, and in turn, the UK is not eager for the domestic market in East Africa.
Moreover, the biggest basis for economic cooperation between the two countries is the industrial differentiation between the two countries. As mentioned before, East Africa’s main industrial competitors are the United States and Germany, not the United Kingdom. This means that East Africa There is little conflict of interest with the UK in the economic field.
So from an industrial perspective, East Africa is a potential high-quality cooperation partner for the UK at this stage. Just like the UK's investment in the United States, East Africa is fully willing to bear the share of the United States. As for the competition between East Africa and the United States, isn't the UK happy to see it? Is it done?
(End of this chapter)