The China-Russia partnership is a highly consequential geopolitical alignment driven by a shared goal of countering U.S. hegemony and reshaping the international order into a multipolar system. While not a formal alliance, this relationship is strengthened by Russia's increasing economic reliance on China following Western sanctions, which allows Beijing to leverage its influence. Policymakers should note that while the partnership projects deep solidarity (as seen in high-level summits), it remains complex and limited by mutual mistrust and competing strategic interests. This enduring alignment poses a significant challenge to U.S. interests and requires continued diplomatic vigilance.
How to counter the Trump shock to free trade
English Summary
The Chatham House paper defines the 'Trump shock' as a fundamental shift in US policy away from rules-based international trade and global public goods cooperation, prioritizing unilateral value extraction instead. This trend is viewed as potentially permanent, challenging the established multilateral economic order. The analysis argues against forcing nations into an exclusive alignment with either the US or China. Instead, it advocates for 'middle powers' to collaboratively build a new, permanent 'third' economic pole dedicated to promoting global public goods and mutual benefit through rules-based cooperation.
中文摘要
該查塔姆館報告將「川普衝擊」定義為美國政策的根本性轉變，即從基於規則的國際貿易和全球公共財合作模式，轉向優先追求單邊價值攫取。這種趨勢被視為潛在永久性的，對既有的多邊經濟秩序構成挑戰。該分析主張不應強迫任何國家只能與美國或中國擇一結盟。相反地，報告倡導「中間力量」應協作建立一個新的、永久的「第三極」經濟支柱，專注於透過基於規則的合作來促進全球公共財和互利共贏。
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