India + China = A Reset That Isolates America

A historic realignment that could redefine the century

In 2014, after Russia annexed Crimea and the West punished Moscow, the Cold War seemed to have suddenly returned. But, this was not only about the rising tensions between the US and Russia. In tandem, the Western moves were pushing China and Russia into a quasi-alliance. This was precisely what America wanted to avoid during the 20th century, and was part of the reason why Washington pursued its infamous “reopening with China” in the 1970s, hoping to drive a wedge between China and the Soviet Union.

Since Crimea switched hands, the choices that drove China and Russia together have been referred to as a strategic blunder, in particular by one man, US President Donald Trump. Beyond the US leader, few can deny the pressure and strain the Sino-Russian relationship is inflicting on the Western order.

But today, something very similar is occurring.

The US decision to “punish” India with 50% tariffs for its trade with Russia, making India one of the highest-tariffed major economies in the world, has resulted in what can only be described as extraordinary: the US is driving India and China together. For the first time in modern history, New Delhi and Beijing are united by the same headache: America.

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