SIR – Meetings of the G8 powers used to be of great importance, relative to the global economy. However, of late, G8 has been superseded by G20.

Furthermore, international trade has been, for many years, conducted in American dollars. However, there is now a move to replace the dollar with a “basket” of currencies.

Clearly, the USA is in decline and Britain can no longer lean on that country as we have done ever since the attack of Pearl Harbour in 1941.

G20 includes China, India and Brazil, all of which are developing at a great pace.

Between them, India and China have 37 and a half per cent of the global population. Russia, which is a member of the original G8, covers 12 and a half per cent of the world’s surface land area. Japan, also a member of G8, has the most concentrated industry in the world. Brazil’s area in square kilometres is comparable to that of the USA. Brazil also has a very large population.

Clearly in a world of giants, the small states of Europe need to hang together in order to have a voice that is heard. This is why the European Union is of such importance and needs to be strengthened.

DE MARGRETT,
Worcester.