Will international relations change?

“Compared with many polite diplomatic activities, the COVID-19 outbreak is an “acute
shock” to the world economy and the process of globalization, and its impact will be far-
reaching and extensive.” (Feng Yujun)
Taking into account what Feng Yujun said and if we look how much the world has changed
in just a few weeks, we think of our activities and immediate changes that affect us. But we
usually leave behind how international relations are affected by it because even if it is not
the most evident things in our lives it is the one that allows us to have trade, diplomacy
and many more thing that helps us have the lifestyle we are used to. So ¿will this crisis
affect the international relations?
We believe it is hard to have a an absolute answer and that it depends, on how nations
see the pandemic, it could be wakeup call to work more closely together between all the
international actors, going beyond countries, including NGO`s and other multinational
entities. Or on the other hand, maybe this will be taken as an opportunity to gain
advantage over their rivals for example the US and China and the trade war they had
going on.
However, one thing is certain there are two possible extremes, a world where there are
more cooperative international relations looking for the well-being of all the actors, or a
world of individualistic relations of trade wars and focused on the survival of the strongest
to take advantage of what remains.
Which criteria will determine a country’s power?
We believe that the criteria to determine a country’s power is in the logistics and
immediate response they can have to all sorts of crisis that may emerge from now on. This
pandemic has shown that a powerful military or a wealthy economy is not the only way to
show power but how prepared you are to confront the problems that may emerge in the
way and how your population reacts to those problems. Because in the end the winner will
be the country that is capable of functioning in an acceptable rate while taking action over
a crisis. And how well it guarantees the continuous stability of its population and
international relations, related to trade, diplomacy and capability of action. In the end
resilience is the most valuable trait a country and its people can have and how they take
advantage of bad times.
COVID-19 and trade barriers
“As COVID-19 spreads around the globe, fears of a deep global recession are mounting.
Some also fear that food supplies may start running short, especially if supply chains are
disrupted. Others fear that agricultural production may be disrupted by containment
measures that restrict workers from harvesting and handling crops.” (IFPRI)
¿What could happen related to trade barriers after the COVID-19 specially those related to
food supplies and sanitary and phitosanitary measures around the globe? This question is
one of many that have emerged during this crisis and its answer will not be known unlit a
few more month when it is over, but form what we have learned in class and also some
academic research there are multiple approaches that could happen related to trade
barriers.
 1. A positive response
The best case possible.
By positive, we mean trade barriers remain as they were before the COVID-19 outbreak.
Moreover, global economy even if it is heavily affected by the pandemic will have the same
game rules and players can recover under known game rules and players.
2. Harder regulations implemented by some countries
One of the most possible cases.
Where the most powerful countries and countries that import organic materials or
commodities take more precautions not only in goods but also in people entering their
territory. Making the game a bit more difficult for some players but the possibility to find
markets with unmodified trade barriers is still possible and could be an alternative to new
trade deals between countries.
3. Complete paranoia and distrust
The worst case that could happen
Where countries become so paranoid of the COVID-19 and its implications that travel and
import barriers are the highest ever seen in the world making very hard international
relations and trade, making countries that depend on agricultural exports very vulnerable
and the biggest losers in this post pandemic scenario. Leading them and the international
markets to experience one of the biggest recessions in terms of trade and exchange of
goods, also it could imply hunger for countries that import food as an important part to feed
their population.
COVID-19 and Dispute settlement
In relation to the dispute settlement body right now there are no relations to the COVID-19
and the WTO, but we believe in the future it is very likely that some countries will try to
take advantage of the global situation and try to have economic and trade gains from other
by setting higher barriers and taxes to imported goods. However, other countries will
possibly retaliate by taking this to the WTO ot with the same answer. Unbalancing the
entire trade system and forcing the WTO to have many trade dispute cases to solve in the
least time possible so it might even be an opportunity for the WTO to adapt as an
institution and have different ways of action to be more efficient and effective.

References
Gvosdev, N. (2020, March 17). Does Covid-19 Change International Relations? Retrieved April 3,
2020, from https://www.ethicsandinternationalaffairs.org/2020/does-covid-19-change-
international-relations/

Yujun, F. (n.d.). ‘Butterfly Effect’ of COVID-19 in International Affairs. Retrieved April 3, 2020, from
https://valdaiclub.com/a/highlights/butterfly-effect-of-covid-19/

What makes a country powerful? | Clingendael. (n.d.). Retrieved April 4, 2020, from
https://www.clingendael.org/publication/what-makes-country-powerful

Ruggeri, A. (n.d.). How can you measure what makes a country great? Retrieved April 4, 2020,
from https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20180111-how-can-you-measure-what-makes-a-
country-great