When Bai Zhongqi returned to Ruyi City, it seemed as though much had changed on Earth.
After joining the Star Alliance, Country C kept a low profile. The advancement of various projects was swift, but there was no deliberate media promotion, especially regarding industrial matters.
The changes that received the most attention were related to people's livelihoods. The nationwide promotion of Genetic Advantage Liberation was one aspect, along with a large-scale Star Alliance immigration plan.
The various consumer products from Iridium Star also drew attention. An important part of Bai Zhongqi's return to Ruyi City was organizing the Iridium Star Trade Expo to better introduce a series of Iridium Star technology products. The purpose was naturally not to make money but to promote technology and transform society.
The indifference and eagerness of Western countries formed a contradiction. Bai Zhongqi understood that the indifference mostly stemmed from the directives of the United Heart Society, but the eagerness was also understandable, given the endless business opportunities of new technology.
Some countries interested in joining the Star Alliance or cooperating with it continuously held discussions, but Bai Zhongqi was not yet ready to allow a third member into the Star Alliance. As for international cooperation, it was mainly carried out through Country C's existing deployments, and Bai Zhongqi had no intention of interfering too much.
The original "world police," Eagle Sauce, had now elected that populist conservative big-mouth president. His America-first policies, once launched, clashed substantially with Star Alliance for political headlines, though they were mostly met with criticism.
The emergence of the Star Alliance also led some countries to seek closer cooperation with it. Meanwhile, the big-mouth president was happy to shut the doors and focus on policies that were clearly not going to improve the country.
The TPP was discarded into the toilet as soon as the big-mouth president took office. Country C, meanwhile, steadily established a broad foundation of free trade agreements centered on itself. The progress was limited because many countries were still observing, waiting to see the kind of trade impacts and opportunities the Star Alliance would bring to the world.
The impacts were already beginning to take shape at this time.
The global trade volume of iron ore had declined by forty percent in the first quarter compared to the previous year. Additionally, the prices of nickel, chromium, and other non-ferrous metals had fallen severely, mainly due to a significant drop in imports by Country C.
Global oil prices continued to fluctuate, causing instability and disturbances in many countries.
Country C experienced a severe decline in import trade value in the first quarter, especially in precision instruments, machinery products, semiconductors, and electronic products, some of which had fallen to a fraction of previous import values.
However, the imports of agricultural products and timber materials remained relatively stable and were even growing. Bai Zhongqi had even purchased numerous foreign agricultural products for processing and reuse.
The Imperial Chancellor himself was an economist. Bai Zhongqi disapproved of the current capitalist economic model, which had basically entered a dead end, but during the transition period of the Star Alliance, this model would still exist for a long time.
Under such a globalized capitalist economy, Bai Zhongqi was well aware that it was impossible for the Star Alliance to keep producing high-quality products while completely cutting off other countries.
Although it was inevitable that Country C would slowly find that it no longer needed much from the outside world, trade was still essential to maintain economic circulation and positive development.
Global division of labor was necessary; it was just a matter of how it was conducted.
These considerations could be postponed. Before the transition period of the Star Alliance in Country C was completed, Bai Zhongqi did not mind causing more chaos in the world economy. The old accounts of exploitation endured by Country C at the hands of other nations could now be settled.
Indeed, now was Country C's time to "shear wool" from the global economy, just using different methods from those of Lighthouse Country.
The plane from Islamabad, the capital of Pakistan, landed in the Imperial Capital. The group of Pakistani officials who disembarked felt an unfamiliarity with what used to be a well-known brother nation.
Hadik, looking out at the runway from the terminal, saw a huge wide-body aircraft. Its wings folded back to a ninety-degree angle from the ground, its engines emitting blue light before it gradually ascended straight into the sky.
"It looks like our brothers in Country C really got something extraordinary," sighed Hadik, the leader of the visiting delegation.
The enthusiastic Ba Shaxin excitedly said, "What friends in Country C have, we will soon have too. That means our mission here can be successful."
Hadik was more measured, saying, "In the end, what can maintain close relationships between countries is mutual interest. Previously, we were very useful to Country C. But now, as their gaze has turned to the universe and they've even established colonies on another planet, whether they still value us is another matter."
Ba Shaxin expressed his displeasure, saying, "Why talk so pessimistically? Pakistan and Country C are all-weather strategic partners with a solid relationship. What we are asking for this time isn't too much, especially for Country C, which has already obtained better things."
After listening, Hadik chuckled and said, "That's true as well."
Ba Shaxin, emotional, waved his arms and said, "Our Pakistan Air Force has faced many rejections from Lighthouse Country. No matter how earnestly we pleaded, one word from President Beilevin choked us, delaying our procurement plans. Now, F-16s are nothing special, and even F-22s are no longer the most advanced weapons.
This time, we'd better acquire weaponry even more powerful than the F-22 to really shame those Americans."
Hadik said, "From our prior communications with friends in Country C, we won't leave empty-handed this time. But what we can secure depends on our delegation's efforts. The main issue is how Country C views the situation on the subcontinent. If they think excessively arming us could increase tensions or even conflict between India and Pakistan, that could be problematic."
Shaking his head, Ba Shaxin said, "Giving us more weapons would balance the situation on the subcontinent. We are still weaker than India; only if we are equal in strength can there be peace."
With a grim smile exposing his white teeth, Ba Shaxin said, "The best scenario would be for Country C to join us in defeating India. We would regain Kashmir, they would reclaim South Tibet, and everyone would be happy."
Hadik pushed him and said, "Such matters are beyond our control; our mission is to bring better eagles back to the Pakistan Air Force!"