'Not just art, but prophecy!': Amidst Trump tariffs, 1925 cartoon stirs up debate among netizens

With global investors and analysts trying to decipher US President Donald Trump's often confusing trade policy, with several rounds of failed negotiations and tariff hikes reaching as high as 50 per cent, a political cartoon from around a century ago is doing rounds on social media, and netizens are in awe once again. The 1925 political cartoon -- shared and commented on several times already at the time of publishing this report -- depicts the expected, and dramatic, rise of India, China and Africa over the West. 

Netizens from different walks of life have reacted to the newspaper clipping, with some calling it more of "a prophecy" than "just art". The work of art is by noted US cartoonist Bob Minor for the socialist Chicago newspaper Daily Worker. 

The art, imagining the emergence of the three powers, has fuelled a debate amid fresh US trade tensions. 

Remember, in 1925, the world was in the midst of the interwar period, marked by fragile peace following the end of World War I and as many as 14 years before the outbreak of World War II. At the time, many countries -- including Germany, Italy, the Soviet Union, and Japan -- were witnessing the rise of dictatorships and nationalist movements. 

In Germany, political turmoil and economic hardship were paving the way for the Nazi Party’s increasing influence. Benito Mussolini had established a fascist regime in Italy, and Joseph Stalin was consolidating power in the Soviet Union.

In that sense, too, the art forced the people to think out of the box way ahead of its time, as it showed a future where nations (long dominated by the US and Europe) would rise and possibly surpass the Western powers.

What is the 1925 cartoon all about? 3 towering figures overshadowing 3 characters labelled US, French and British imperialism

The cartoon depicts three towering figures, each representing China, India and Africa, seemingly overshadowing three other characters: each labelled US, French and British imperialism. 

Resurfacing in 2024 with the caption 'recalling Minor’s prediction', the image has struck a chord now as Trump imposes steep tariffs -- including a 50 per cent duty on India -- alongside duties affecting China as well as several African nations. 

For many, the cartoon’s revival is more than nostalgia. It is a reminder that global power balances can and do shift from time to time (or century to century!).