Trump’s new term brought along unwelcome surprises for China: WashPo
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The Washington Post says the recent call between the Chinese and Russian presidents came amid speculation that Trump’s abrupt shift toward closer US-Russia ties could sideline Beijing.
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Chinese President Xi Jinping, left, and Russian President Vladimir Putin shake hands during a welcoming ceremony prior to a festive reception at the BRICS Summit in Kazan, Russia, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024 (Pool Photo via AP)
US President Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office has introduced a series of unwelcome surprises for Beijing, The Washington Post reported on Tuesday.
However, as Trump pushes for a swift resolution to the Ukraine war—disrupting decades of US policy toward Russia in the process—Chinese President Xi Jinping may find an opportunity amid the turbulence, the report indicated.
On Monday, Xi held talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin, reaffirming their countries' strong ties on the third anniversary of the start of the war in Ukraine. According to a Chinese readout, Xi described Moscow as a “true friend” and a “good neighbor”.
The Post said the call came amid speculation that Trump’s abrupt shift toward closer US-Russia ties could sideline Beijing. However, it mentioned that analysts believe the call also served to project confidence in the enduring alliance between China and Russia.
Despite concerns over shifting geopolitical dynamics, experts in both Washington and Beijing suggest that Chinese leaders see potential advantages in a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine war, the report noted.
“The call seems targeted against any speculation that Russia would deprioritize its relations with China as part of a grand bargain over Ukraine,” said Joseph Torigian, an expert on Russia-China relations at the American University in Washington. “But there are reasons to believe China is not that worried."
Since the Ukraine war began in 2022, Beijing has provided Russia with vital economic and political support under their “no limits” partnership. Putin and Xi have maintained frequent communication—including just last month, following Trump’s inauguration—seeking to position their alliance as a counterbalance to the US-led global order.
While Russia has faced severe Western sanctions and growing international isolation, China has played a critical role in sustaining its economy. Beijing has supplied Moscow with key electronic components for the battlefield and remains a crucial market for Russian oil. Trade between the two nations surged nearly 70% from 2021 to 2024, according to Chinese customs data.
According to the report, Trump’s return to office has altered this landscape. Over the past month, he has signaled a willingness to engage with Putin, initiating US-Russia talks last week, accusing Ukraine of provoking the war, and referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as a “dictator”.
The Post highlighted that this rapid shift in US-Russia relations has led some to speculate that Trump may be attempting a “reverse Nixon”—a strategy mirroring President Richard Nixon’s 1972 détente with China, which countered Soviet influence. In this scenario, Trump would seek to isolate Beijing by fostering closer ties with Moscow.
However, experts on Russia-China relations view such an approach as unlikely, the report mentioned.
Cui Hongjian, a scholar of European studies at Beijing Foreign Studies University, noted that while growing US-Russia engagement has “put some pressure on China,” it is unlikely to undermine the deep-rooted trust and mutual interests between Beijing and Moscow.
“China and Russia have built a more comprehensive partnership that extends beyond security to economic development,” Cui emphasized.
Read more: Trump claims Putin accepts idea of European peacekeepers in Ukraine
