And why is a bifurcation a problem?

For several reasons:

1) The divorce will be extremely expensive for most of the world. Add this to the economic problems resulting from the pandemic and the costs of climate change.

2) When completed, the removal of mutual economic interdependence will also remove an important deterrent against conflicts.

3) Because of this and because of the generally increased hostility between the superpowers the probability of cyberattacks and military strikes and (proxy) wars will increase.

4) Weaker countries like the European ones will loose independence and be easy prey unless they unite effectively.

5) Global cooperation is urgently needed to handle climate change and the resulting huge geographic displacements of people.