From Foreign Policy · Daniel S. Hamilton, Angela Stent · · 1m 30s
America’s Best Answer to China-Russia Alliance
U.S. can exploit Russia-China friction to weaken their alliance.
In brief
U.S. can exploit Russia-China friction to weaken their alliance. U.S. should pressure Russia-China partnership by increasing costs and leveraging alliances to counter their growing influence. Originally reported by Foreign Policy.
Russia-China Alliance
U.S. faces growing Russia-China partnership that opposes American primacy and seeks a post-West order.
“Both China and Russia are supporting Iran, and Beijing is the key enabler of Moscow’s war against Ukraine”
U.S. Strategy
Washington should exploit friction to make Russia-China alliance more costly and difficult to sustain.
“Washington can exploit friction, strengthen allies, and make the axis harder to sustain”
Russia-China Ties
China provides over 90 percent of sanctioned technology imports for Russia’s war economy.
“China provides more than 90 percent of the sanctioned technology imports that keep russia’s war economy afloat”
Trade Relations
China accounts for 30 percent of Russia’s exports and 57 percent of its imports.
“China has solidified its position as Russia’s top trading partner, accounting for roughly 30 percent of Russia’s total exports and 57 percent of its imports”
Geopolitical Impact
Russia-China partnership contests Western-led norms and promotes organizations excluding the West.
“Together, they contest key norms and principles underpinning the Western-led international order”
China’s Role
China enables Russia’s war against Ukraine while maintaining strategic leverage.
“Even as Beijing claims to be neutral in the Kremlin’s war against Ukraine, it has been Russia’s main supporter”
Russia’s Dependence
Russia’s dependence on China grows as Beijing exploits Russian vulnerabilities.
“Beijing takes advantage of discounted russian energy but limits its investments in russia’s energy infrastructure”
Military Tensions
China and Russia have competing interests in Arctic and Africa.
“Tensions between Russia and China in the Arctic can also be exploited”
U.S. Response
U.S. can use tariffs and alliances to pressure Russia-China partnership.
“The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 gives the administration authority to impose tariffs of up to 100 percent on China”
Strategic Leverage
U.S. allies can highlight Russia’s vulnerabilities to China.
“Washington and its allies should be vocal with Chinese interlocutors about Russia’s reckless behavior”
Alliance Strength
U.S. and allies have potential to counter Russia-China alliance through unity.
“A revived coalition of the United States and its key allies and partners would dwarf the economic might, technological acumen, defense capability, and diplomatic clout of Russia and China”
Russia-China Concerns
Russia worries about China’s growing influence and technological edge.
“Russian decision-makers worry that China is outpacing Russia in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity”
U.S. Opportunity
U.S. can exploit Russia-China friction to weaken their alliance.
“Washington can exploit friction, strengthen allies, and make the axis harder to sustain”
Conclusion
U.S. should leverage alliances to counter Russia-China partnership.
“Washington and its allies have agency, and they can leverage the inherent weaknesses of the Russia-China alliance”
The short version
U.S. should pressure Russia-China partnership by increasing costs and leveraging alliances to counter their growing influence.
