# America’s Best Answer to China-Russia Alliance > U.S. can exploit Russia-China friction to weaken their alliance. - Title: America’s Best Answer to China-Russia Alliance | Shortify - Summary: U.S. can exploit Russia-China friction to weaken their alliance. U.S. should pressure Russia-China partnership by increasing costs and leveraging alliances… - Keywords: russia, china, u.s., putin, brics, u.s. alliance, u.k., u.s. tariffs, u.s. sanctions, u.s. military, u.s. foreign policy, America - Source: Foreign Policy — https://foreignpolicy.com/2026/10/08/russia-china-alliance-united-states-xi-putin - Author: Daniel S. Hamilton, Angela Stent - Read time: 1 min - Topics: russia, china, u.s., putin, xi, brics, u.s. alliance, u.k., u.s. tariffs, u.s. sanctions, u.s. military, u.s. 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 ## Key takeaway U.S. should pressure Russia-China partnership by increasing costs and leveraging alliances to counter their growing influence.