Former World Bank Chief Urges China to Release Food and Fertiliser Reserves

David Malpass, former president of the World Bank, has called on China to stop stockpiling food and fertiliser, arguing that releasing these reserves could help stabilize global markets. His comments coincide with scheduled talks between US President Donald Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing.

David Malpass, the former head of the World Bank, has made a direct appeal to China to cease hoarding essential commodities including food and fertiliser supplies. According to Malpass, China's accumulation of these critical resources is contributing to market instability and creating supply chain pressures that affect nations worldwide.

The timing of Malpass' statement is significant, coming as US President Donald Trump prepares for meetings with Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Beijing. These diplomatic discussions are expected to address various trade and economic issues between the two largest economies, and Malpass' comments suggest that global supply chain concerns remain a central focus in international economic policy.

Global food security and fertiliser availability have become increasingly important issues following recent years of supply disruptions and price volatility. Analysts argue that strategic reserves held by major economies like China can either stabilize or exacerbate international market conditions, depending on how they are managed and released.

Malpass' remarks reflect broader international concerns about the concentration of essential resources by individual nations and the potential economic consequences for developing countries that depend on global markets. His call for China to release reserves indicates growing pressure on Beijing from international economic observers to take steps that would ease global commodity prices.