Becoming a Russian Oligarch After Rebirth
Chapter 1293 - 1046: Tit for Tat_2

Chapter 1293: Chapter 1046: Tit for Tat_2

Over the years since joining the WTO, the achievements in economic development China has made are there for the whole world to see.

Thus, the purpose of holding the sixth WTO Ministerial Conference here was also to showcase the benefits of joining the WTO...

At the welcome dinner, Wang Ye had a chance to meet the representatives from the United States and the European Union, exchanging warm handshakes.

The leader from the United States was Minister Gutierrez, a tall man in his fifties with graying hair and beard, worth mentioning is that he is also a Hispanic American.

His background was quite legendary.

As a child, he emigrated with his parents to the United States, but they didn’t make it and moved to neighboring Mexico, where life was very tough, and Gutierrez dropped out of school at a young age.

He worked various jobs including as a waiter, truck driver, and salesman.

Because he excelled as a salesman, he was transferred to the American headquarters and formally immigrated there.

From there, it was as if he was on an unstoppable rise, showing extraordinary business acumen, reviving a nearly bankrupt food company and growing it into a giant within the industry.

Originally, he was only involved in the business world with no ties to the political arena or political donations or affiliations with any factions.

However, the then-president saw his potential and named him as the Commerce Secretary, and Gutierrez had to accept the position reluctantly.

Thus, in February 2005, he officially assumed office and began his duties as Minister of Commerce...

The team from the EU was led by the EU trade representative, which Wang Ye wasn’t focused on as he needed to negotiate first with Germany’s Minister of Commerce, Hannah, to finalize the North Stream Pipeline plan.

Having done that, Wang Ye anticipated no issues from the EU side, as the natural gas supply plan was set to benefit the entire EU, not only Germany.

In the EU, the two most influential countries are naturally Germany and France, particularly Germany, as it has the strongest economy in all of Europe, with many smaller countries within the EU eagerly awaiting its "relief funds."

Under these circumstances, Germany naturally had a louder voice within the EU.

So, as long as the differences over the North Stream Pipeline plan with Germany were resolved, there wouldn’t be any significant obstacles in the upcoming accession negotiations with the EU.

Facing Wang Ye, Gutierrez was extremely enthusiastic.

He gripped Wang Ye’s hand tightly, his graying mustache trembling with his smile.

The scene of their cordial handshake and greeting was naturally captured by media reporters present, and it would soon appear on the news media.

"Mikhail... Director, I am delighted to meet you, I have always believed that without a major country like yours, the WTO is incomplete!

So, after I assumed my role last year, I have been working hard to push forward your country’s accession process. I hope that in tomorrow’s talks, both sides can minimize differences and reach an agreement.

If possible, let your country formally join the WTO during this Ministerial Conference!"

Gutierrez said with a sincere tone.

In addressing Wang Ye, he seemed to hesitate for a moment, then chose the title "Director," perhaps referring to Wang Ye’s recent role as "Director of WTO Accession Preparation Office."

After all, in this setting, that was the title that Wang Ye was carrying, not something like Deputy Speaker Duma.

Wang Ye also wore a bright smile and responded swiftly, "Thank you, Minister Gutierrez, Russia needs to join the WTO, and likewise, the WTO needs Russia’s entry. This is a win-win situation for all parties! I also believe that as long as both sides treat each other sincerely and don’t set up artificial barriers, the negotiations will surely go smoothly. I come with sincerity..."

Wang Ye’s last remark was full of deep meaning; it remained to be seen whether Gutierrez and his colleagues would understand.

However, someone who’d climbed from the very bottom and had never been educated, could clearly be no fool, and Wang Ye did trust in Gutierrez’s intelligence...

Indeed, Gutierrez’s gaze flashed, his expression unchanged as he smiled and said, "That’s great, all WTO member countries are also looking forward to your country’s official accession."

The German negotiator, Hannah, clearly was not as enthusiastic as Gutierrez. Her demeanor was more in line with the "stereotype" commonly associated with Germans.

Serious expression, speaking earnestly, meticulous in her actions.

Hannah was exactly that type of person. After shaking hands with Wang Ye, she didn’t engage in any small talk but simply told Wang Ye that in the negotiations the day after tomorrow, they would not make any more concessions, as their bottom line had already been laid out before him.

She wouldn’t make concessions that could harm her nation’s interests to facilitate Russia’s entry into the WTO, even if the EU put great pressure on her.

Clearly, this was meant to intimidate Wang Ye, as well as a negotiating tactic that could be called "extreme pressure."

If Wang Ye lacked confidence, he might be easily frightened into making greater concessions in order to ensure a smooth accession to the WTO.

But Hannah probably didn’t understand Wang Ye’s character very well, nor did she fully comprehend his status and influence in the Moscow political arena...

If it were another negotiator, they might worry about how to explain themselves if the talks fell through again.

Wang Ye had no such concerns!

Honestly, he was the one pushing for Russia’s accession to the WTO. There were many at home dragging their feet, happy to delay the accession for a few more years or even contemplate not joining at all.

So, whether the negotiations succeeded this time wasn’t very crucial; it was just that Wang Ye wanted to speed up Russia’s accession to allow for more development time.

If the other side really took a hard line, thinking they could force Wang Ye to concede, then Wang Ye could only tell her, "You’re thinking too much!"

Therefore, facing this old woman, Wang Ye simply responded indifferently, "After the North Stream Pipeline is completed, there’s no need to argue over who benefits the most. Our crude oil and natural gas still have markets; there’s still a large demand in the east. If we can’t finalize the North Stream Pipeline scheme this time, then we will immediately start the Siberian Power No. 2 scheme and direct the oil and gas towards Asia!"

Hannah had never expected that she was just trying to posture a bit to intimidate this young man.

Instead, she found herself being taught a lesson with both soft and hard tactics...

It seemed that this young man was truly as the information showed, not just a ’second generation’ rising through prominent backing, but a genuinely talented young elite who climbed up through his capabilities!

...

As Wang Ye, a newly emerging star in the Moscow political arena, became more prominent, the countries of Europe and the United States began to take note of him.

Each country’s relationship with Russia was different, so their level of interest in Wang Ye also varied.

Like Hannah, as Germany’s trade representative—her position was not even as high as that of the Minister of Commerce—although she is one of the high ranks in politics, her actual power was quite pitiful.

Before she came, the scope of the negotiations had been set; securing terms more favorable to herself would naturally be best.

But if she ended up signing an agreement under her own bottom line, it wasn’t a big problem.

So, she had indeed scrutinized Wang Ye’s background information carefully before coming, as she needed to understand her negotiation counterpart.

But what she could see and understand was largely superficial information.

Honestly, Hannah had no interest in delving deeper into Wang Ye. After all, after these negotiations, the two might never interact again—why bother knowing so much?

Perhaps inside Russia, the vast majority would pay attention to Wang Ye, especially the senior figures in the political arena, who must have a comprehensive and clear understanding of him.

But in the international political arena, to speak bluntly, who cares whether you are Deputy Speaker Mikhail or something else; what business is it of theirs?

Are you able to help them pull in a few more votes, or are you able to donate to their political campaign...

Thus, apart from a few special agencies, most politicians in Europe and the U.S. weren’t really familiar with Wang Ye!