ISDP experts quoted in the South China Morning Post on Sweden joining NATO and opportunities’ for Sweden’s arms makers in Asia-Pacific amid tensions with China
March 5, 2024: Agust Börjesson, Research Fellow with ISDP’s Taiwan Project, Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy, an Associated Fellow with ISDP’s Stockholm Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs, and Jagannath Panda, Head of the Stockholm Center for South Asian and Indo-Pacific Affairs, were quoted in the South China Morning Post on Sweden joining NATO and opportunities’ for Sweden’s arms makers in Asia-Pacific amid tensions with China.
“Swedish manufacturers like Saab have reason to be optimistic that a Nato membership will bring opportunities among Nato allies and partners in the context of the alliance’s current focus on the Indo-Pacific,” said Agust Börjesson.
“In reality, Beijing wants to protect its trade with EU member states and slow down Europe’s de-risking agenda, so it will not risk alienating its European partners,” said Zsuzsa Anna Ferenczy.
“In other words, Sweden’s entry into Nato explains the fact that its relationship with China will never be in order,” said Jagannath Panda.
“Since most of the Nato members perceive Russia as an enemy from the past and China as an enemy for the future, Sweden’s foreign policy will be drawn almost in a similar parallel fashion.”