A 1925 cartoon by American artist Bob Minor, originally published in the socialist Chicago newspaper Daily Worker, has resurfaced and gone viral amidst current debates over international trade and tariff policies. The cartoon depicts the rise of China, India, and Africa while seemingly overshadowing the West.

The cartoon portrays three towering figures representing China, India, and Africa looming over smaller, whip-wielding characters labeled "U.S. Imperialism," "French Imperialism," and "British Imperialism". A Soviet soldier is grinning in the background. Minor's message conveyed that Western nations, rich in "money and guns," had dominated the world while overlooking the potential of China, India, and Africa, which were rich in "people". The cartoon suggests a future shift in global power, where these once-dominated nations would rise and potentially surpass the Western powers.

The reemergence of this century-old cartoon coincides with significant shifts in global economics and trade, particularly the recent tariffs imposed by the United States. These tariffs, impacting key manufacturing and service economies like India, have intensified discussions about whether Minor's vision is becoming a reality. Some observers suggest the cartoon's resurgence reflects a growing sentiment that the balance of power is indeed shifting away from traditional Western dominance.

The cartoon was recently republished with the caption: "Almost 100 years ago, famous US cartoonist Bob Minor had a realisation: Western nations ruled the world because they were rich in money and guns. China, India, and Africa were poor in money and guns but rich in people. One day, the balance of power would shift. Minor drew this cartoon in 1925. Now, 99 years later, the people of the world are waking up and realising something has changed".

The cartoon's message is that Western nations ruled the world with money, guns, and military force, but they always overlooked the potential that the underdeveloped and economically weaker countries like China, India, and Africa had in terms of people and culture. The cartoon points to a future shift in global power, where India, China and Africa dominated for centuries by the US and West would rise up and probably surpass the Western powers.

The post's timing coincided with Trump's tariffs that have hit countries like India, China and African countries like Libya, South Africa, Algeria and Tunisia and has intensified discussion on whether Minor's vision is now becoming reality.

The renewed interest in Minor's cartoon also aligns with the growing influence of the BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa). One social media user shared the cartoon with the caption: "Exactly 100 years later, BRICS is shaping a multipolar world. Together, they represent 40% of the global population and a $30 trillion GDP".

In 2025, under President Trump, the United States has enacted a series of tariffs affecting nearly all goods imported into the country, triggering what some have called a global trade war. From January to April 2025, the average applied US tariff rate rose from 2.5% to an estimated 27%, the highest level in over a century. While the US Court of International Trade has ruled some of these tariffs illegal, they remain in effect while the government appeals.