China should stop hoarding food and fertiliser, says former World Bank chief

David Malpass, the former president of the World Bank, has called on China to stop hoarding food and fertilizer to help mitigate a global supply crisis. In an interview with the BBC, Malpass suggested that Beijing should release its significant stockpiles to ease the pressure on international markets. Malpass, who also served as the Treasury Under Secretary for International Affairs under U.S. President Donald Trump from 2017 to 2019, made these remarks to the World Service.^[1][2]

The former official attributed the current global supply instability to the Iran war, noting that the conflict has severely disrupted the distribution of essential goods. By holding onto large quantities of food and agricultural inputs, Malpass argued that China is contributing to the scarcity and rising costs affecting other nations. He indicated that a shift in China's storage policies could provide much-needed relief to the global food system.^[2]

Beyond the immediate supply crisis, Malpass also addressed China's status within the international community. He asserted that the country's claim to be a developing nation is no longer credible. This classification has been a point of contention in global diplomacy, as it often allows for different standards in trade and international agreements compared to fully developed economies.^[1]