Over the last decade the global concern and geopolitical competition due to rising China has been dominating international affairs discussions. In Europe, Chinese presence has notably increased particularly in the Balkans, given that this region’s geographical position represents an important piece of the Chinese Silk Road puzzle.

Saudi Arabia’s economy system is heavily focused on the state ownership of the main oil, gas, telecommunication and electricity companies in the country. Crown Prince Mohammad Bin Salman is the ultimate ruler, who has launched a bold project called Vision 2030 to drive the country out of the oil dependence by creating a new future based on economy diversification and services. Crucial companies which get the largest amount of Saudi Arabia’s revenues are Saudi Aramco, SABIC, Saudi Electricity Company, Ma’aden, Saudi Arabia Monetary Authority

Iran’s economic strategy in the Middle East has mainly been directed by oil and gas industry. In this sense, the most influential actors are the NIOC and IRGC-controlled businesses within Iran and various foreign gas and oil companies abroad. The main competitor has been Saudi Arabia, supported by other Sunni monarchies except Qatar as well as the US. On the other hand, relatively good and business-oriented ties exist with China, Qatar, and Russia. Furthermore, Iran’s economic strategy has largely been determined by Western-imposed sanctions, thus giving a significant power to non-petroleum businesses with domestic charitable trusts (bonyads), bazaaris, and black market being of high importance for the country’s general economic strategy. Being isolated by many Western actors, Iran’s main economic partners have become Asian countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea – all being important mostly because of gas and oil exports.

Central Africa is a strategic issue for the European Union mainly because its resources are increasingly coveted by emerging powers, including China and India.

Overall, the U.S. and China stand in opposition in many aspects. Prevalently conservative, traditional and hierarchical, China stands as a rather challenging counterpart to the individualistic and democratic United States. Coincidentally, both countries prioritize different values, especially in politics and economy – while the U.S. focuses on high productivity in short time, China emphasizes long-term progress and development as a fundamental strategy for establishing itself as a global power. These differences were often challenging in the states’ relations, and have resulted in a trade war that is still ongoing. The U.S. is trying to compete with China by imposing tariffs on Chinese goods, while its national economy is affected by the trade war too. China is strenuously fighting back, also imposing tariffs on the import of U.S. goods to the country.

In the last decade and a half, Turkey har been making efforts to become the leading regional power in a broad geographical area that includes MENA region (Middle East and North Africa), the Mediterranean, the Balkans, the Black Sea region, the Persian Gulf, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Caspian Sea.[1] In order to achieve such an ambitious geopolitical plan, Ankara needs to gain a higher degree of security and political independence over it’s Cold War „patron“ and NATO ally, the United States.