Living in the Times of Equality - A Universal Progress

Despite the assumption that a person works for his own self and his own ilk, we can say with certainty the largest DEI operation is underway in the world. We don’t simply work for ‘our’ but for ‘everyone’. I firmly believe in that principle and the results which we can see also confirm the same in the larger scheme of things. Work that benefits everyone, rather than just one group, is essential for creating a more inclusive society. When work is designed to be inclusive and equitable, it ensures that everyone, every nation, regardless of their economic status, can participate in and benefit from global progress. This should be the rationale behind our mode of operation which needs to be encouraged to continue and this alone should lead the way we interact and operate with one another. The work which has diversity, equality and inclusion as cornerstones where everyone feels part of the system and where everyone grows with freedom should set the ball rolling and not the work which is compartmental and reduced to groupings. We will evaluate how the present world is built on the aspects of universal benefits driving universal progress. Here, universal precisely means ‘including or covering all or a whole collectively or distributively without limit or exception’ or ‘available equitably to all members of a society’. Some of the examples denoting how this interplay is at work can be looked at to set an example of today’s inclusive world for the future. 

Working in U.S. gives the ability to touch upon larger playground because of the interconnectedness with many other nations and the different levers at play. Working in U.S. for a better U.S. boosts the prospects of India, improves China, holds good for EU and many other nations. A strong U.S. economy has a positive impact on many nations around the world, improving global economic growth and stability. By driving demand for goods and services, facilitating trade and investment, and promoting innovation, the U.S. plays a crucial role in the prosperity of many other countries. Which is why, the U.N. general body with 193 member countries meets in U.S. and not in any other nation. To tell about an array of nations which will be in good standing because of U.S. is a large topic and can be dealt separately. I will touch upon two regions or countries for this post – European Union and China apart from India. The EU is one of the largest trading partners of the U.S. A robust U.S. economy increases demand for European goods and services, supporting economic growth in the region. As the world's second-largest economy, China has a symbiotic relationship with the U.S. Increased U.S. demand for Chinese exports supports China's economic growth. When the U.S. is on a better economic standing, it has a positive ripple effect on many nations around the world. And we know simply, a growing U.S. enables and drives universal growth. Working for the good of this one country enables the spread of universal benefits across every player. This realization of universal well-being should be the motive behind the operation of world’s largest economy. 

Let us delve into two likeable entities – China and E.U. for the rest of this post. China reported two pertinent figures in the last few weeks highlighting the strength of exports and its growing economy. China's trade surplus reached nearly $1 trillion in 2024, breaking previous records and highlighting the country’s dominance in global manufacturing. Never ever did China exported as much and achieved as much a surplus. To put the $1 trillion surplus in perspective, in the year 2024, India recorded a merchandise trade deficit of $21.94 billion which indicate its imports exceeds the exports. This is the situation of a country with a greater population and a country with growing aspirations to make a mark in the world. The standing in numbers reflect a gigantic gap in practical reality. Nevertheless, it is highly commendable that China broke all the records to achieve a tremendous $1 trillion trade surplus and also 5% growth in the last year. Guess what, China’s biggest trading partner is U.S. In 2024, the total trade between China and the U.S. amounted to $688.3 billion. As indicated, the figure dwarfs the trade between any other country with China. As we can see, the trade with India stood at $118.4 billion where India imported $101.7 billion worth of goods from China, while exports to China amounted to $16.67 billion. The point is China has a tremendous year in exports and the dragon is highly praiseworthy for creating an unmatched quality of goods at unparallel pricing for the need-based markets. 

What more, China as well grew by 5% last year mainly driven by exports. This growth was primarily driven by a sharp rise in exports and robust investments in manufacturing and industrial equipment, which offset a prolonged downturn in construction. China's industrial output has elevated it to a position of unprecedented global manufacturing dominance, not seen since the United States after World War II. The trade surplus, representing 10% of China’s GDP, has been a significant economic driver, offsetting challenges such as a housing market crash and reduced consumer spending domestically. In December 2024, China achieved a record monthly trade surplus of $104.8 billion, the largest for any single month globally. This remarkable export growth has provided significant economic benefits to China. Millions of jobs have been created in sectors ranging from factory work to high-paying roles in engineering, design, and research. Over the past decade, wages for factory workers have doubled in real terms.  

China has transitioned from being an importer of cars to the world’s largest car exporter, surpassing nations like Japan, Germany, and South Korea. Additionally, Chinese enterprises have made strides in high-tech sectors such as solar panels, robotics, electric vehicles, and even aviation. A state-owned Chinese company has begun producing single-aisle commercial jets, competing directly with industry giants Airbus and Boeing. Despite global trade tensions and protectionist policies, China’s combination of strategic investments, industrial scale, and cost advantages ensures its continued dominance in global manufacturing. There might be challenges domestically but this is the fairly impressive dragon story of the times which is very pleasing to hear about. 

Another very good relationship U.S. has with foreign nations is with European Union (EU). I live in a suburb of Chicago. It is very good to see small merchants from European nations selling in Christmas markets in Chicago and suburbs. There is lot of interplay which I saw firsthand and a much greater numbers behind the scenes. Chicago has a dynamic and multifaceted relationship with the European Union (EU), driven by trade, investment, and cultural exchanges. Infact anyone who looks bright and white is from EU who might have settled recently or in the distant past. At a larger level, the trade relationship between the United States and the European Union (EU) is indeed one of the largest and most significant in the world. The U.S. and the EU are major trading partners, exchanging goods and services worth hundreds of billions of dollars annually. In 2023, the total trade in goods and services between the U.S. and the EU reached approximately €1.2 trillion, highlighting the extensive economic interdependence between the two regions. The U.S. is the EU's largest trading partner, accounting for a significant portion of EU exports and imports. The EU is also a major destination for U.S. exports and a significant source of imports. This bilateral trade relationship supports millions of jobs and drives economic growth on both sides of the Atlantic. It is imperative that this relationship should continue to scale in future for the benefit of everyone. 

As we can see, when the U.S. is on a better economic standing, it has a positive ripple effect on many nations around the world. Such work that promotes economic growth and development across all nations helps to reduce poverty and improve living standards. By creating opportunities for employment and entrepreneurship, countries can build stronger economies and enhance the well-being of their citizens. International trade and investment play a significant role in this process, as they enable countries to access new markets, technologies, and resources. As we can see, there is no region left behind in the wave of the times which should be the hallmark of any governance. When the advantages are universal, we are staring richly at the times of equality and inclusion.  

In this regard, we can remember the mammoth Status of Equality built on the outskirts of Hyderabad few years back. The Statue of Equality, also known as the Ramanuja Statue, is a monumental tribute to the 11th-century philosopher-saint Ramanuja Acharya. Ramanuja Acharya's teachings emphasized the importance of devotion (bhakti) and surrender (prapatti) to God. He believed that true spirituality transcends social hierarchies and that everyone has the right to access spiritual knowledge and practices. The statue serves as a reminder of his efforts to break down barriers and promote social reform. We serve as a bridge between different sections of society and not build barriers. Just like the statue denotes, the wave of the times also vehemently implies importance of inclusivity and the need to strive for a more equitable society.