Part 4/7:
Trust—or lack thereof—plays a critical role in the current dynamics. McLeod highlights that trust in the political integrity of Western countries, particularly the U.S., has eroded, leading foreign stakeholders to seek actual delivery rather than relying on unsecured promises from banks. This mistrust is compounded by notable delays—what was once a standard delivery process that took days has extended to months, raising further alarm about the health of the underlying markets.