This was a naked "bypass the governments, let capital move first" strategy. But everyone present understood it, and was tempted. When the old political framework reacts slowly or even ossifies, flexible and greedy capital is often the best icebreaker.
The German Count Von Schwarzenberg pondered for a moment, then said slowly, "Bypassing politics to go straight into technological and commercial cooperation can indeed be tried in some fields. But when it comes to sensitive technologies, energy security, and financial infrastructure… that requires tacit political understanding at the highest level, even… a certain degree of strategic mutual trust."
"Strategic mutual trust is not begged for, it's fought out, and it's forged by binding interests together."
