Editing Vladimir Putin (section)

=== [[Vladimir Putin Tucker Carlson Interview Full Transcript|February 8, 2024 interview with Tucker Carlson]] ===

==== [[Dedollarization]] ====
While on the subject of advancing [[Multipolarity]], the Tucker asked Putin about the place of the US Dollar. Putin called it "the cornerstone of the United States power," and said that weaponizing it against Russia in 2022 was "a stupid thing to do," as it accelerated the Dollar's decline. <blockquote>You know, to use the dollar as a tool of foreign policy struggle is one of the biggest strategic mistakes made by the US political leadership. The dollar is the cornerstone of the United States power. I think everyone understands very well that no matter how many dollars are printed, they're quickly dispersed all over the world. Inflation in the United States is minimal. It's about 3 or 3.4%, which is, I think, totally acceptable for the US. But they won't stop printing. What does the debt of $33 trillion tell us about? It is about the emission. Nevertheless, it is the main weapon used by the United States to preserve its power across the world. As soon as the political leadership decided to use the US dollar as a tool of political struggle, a blow was dealt to this American power. I would not like to use any strong language, but it is a stupid thing to do and a grave mistake. Look at what is going on in the world. Even the United States allies are now downsizing their dollar reserves. Seeing this, everyone starts looking for ways to protect themselves. But the fact that the United States applies restrictive measures to certain countries, such as placing restrictions on transactions, freezing assets, etc., causes grave concern and sends a signal to the whole world.</blockquote>Putin went on to talk about Dedollarization in Russia, the climb of bilateral trade with China denominated in yuan, and the prospect of oil exporting countries making a similar switch.  <blockquote>What did we have here? Until 2022, about 80% of Russian foreign trade transactions were made in US dollars and euros. U.S. dollars accounted for approximately 50% of our transactions with third countries. Well, currently it is down to 13%. It wasn't us who banned the use of the US dollar. We had no such intention. It was the decision of the United States to restrict our transactions in U.S. dollars. I think it is complete foolishness from the point of view of the interests of the United States itself and its taxpayers, as it damages the U.S. economy, undermines the power of the United States across the world. By the way, our transactions in yuan accounted for about 3%. Today, 34% of our transactions are made in rubles and about as much. A little over 34% in yuan … Moreover, other countries, including oil producers, are thinking of and already accepting payments for oil in yuan.</blockquote>Why would the United States do this? Putin thinks it is imperial conceit. <blockquote>Why did the United States do this? My only guess is self conceit. They probably thought it would lead to full collapse, but nothing collapsed.  </blockquote>

==== [[China]] ====
Tucker then tried to fear-monger about '''BRICS''' and '''China'''. Ironically echoing pan-leftist jibber about 'Chinese imperialism,' Tucker suggested that "you trade one colonial power for another, much less sentimental and forgiving colonial power." Putin had no patience for this angle. <blockquote>Well, we have heard those boogeyman stories before. It is a boogeyman story.</blockquote>He continued by emphasizing "centuries long history of coexistence" with China, and moreover the fact of China's peaceful foreign policy. <blockquote>China's foreign policy philosophy is not aggressive. Its idea is to always look for compromise. And we can see that.</blockquote>Putin went on about the benefits of cooperation with China in Russia and Europe, and lamented that the United States ruling class is trying to limit cooperation with China. "It is to your own detriment, Mr. Tucker, that you are limiting cooperation with China. You are hurting yourself." Tucker then tried to change the subject, but Putin wanted to finish talking about his friend [[Xi Jinping]] and BRICS. <blockquote>I will tell you. But let me finish the previous thought. We, together with my colleague and friend President XI Jinping, set their goal to reach $200 billion of mutual trade with China this year. We have exceeded this level. According to our figures, our bilateral trade with China totals already 230 billion. And the Chinese statistics says it is $240 billion. One more important thing. Our trade is well balanced, mutually complementary in high tech, energy, scientific research and development. It is very balanced. As for BRICs, where Russia took over the presidency this year, the BRICs countries are by and large developing very rapidly. Look, if memory serves me right, back in 1992, the share of the G7 countries in the world economy amounted to 47%, whereas in 2022 it was down to, I think, a little over 30%. The BRICs countries accounted for only 16% in 1992, but now their share is greater than that of the G7.</blockquote>