The Witherle Library foreign affairs discussion group will meet by zoom on Wednesday, October 5 from 5-6pm. All are welcome.

The topic is how the US and other creditor countries deal with debtor countries who are unable to meet their financial obligations. The critical role of the International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Paris Club and London Club, plus the role the US congress plays in managing debt will be included.  We’ll also look at the crushing impact of China’s loans to developing countries via its Belt and Road initiative and how China is interfacing with the global financial architecture to help keep countries solvent. There are copies of the background readings at the library’s front desk.

The Economist, August 27. Distressing Debt, pg 8. Party’s Over, pp 29-30.

The Wall Street Journal, September 26, 2022, China Reigns in Its Belt and Road Program, $1 Trillion Later

https://www.wsj.com/articles/china-belt-road-debt-11663961638

The New York Times, July 22, 2022, China is Playing Hardball with Troubled Debtors

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/22/opinion/china-debt-belt-road

Join Zoom Meeting
https://networkmaine.zoom.us/j/82019681598

Meeting ID: 820 1968 1598