The world has certainly seen its share of odd pairings over the centuries, but the current alliance between China and Russia raises more eyebrows than most. Anyone with a basic grasp of global history knows that these two giants haven’t always been the best of buddies. After all, they are about as “natural enemies” as cats and dogs. One holds an endless stretch of land, while the other has an endless sea of people. Yet, here they are, united by circumstances that are arguably as preventable as they are perplexing.
With recent developments, China and Russia are cozying up to each other, much like two kids in the back of the classroom with a newfound shared interest. According to former President Trump, this unexpected bromance is the result of poor decision-making by his predecessor. The man certainly knows how to call it as he sees it. Putin, strapped with international criminal charges and facing a sanction-laden economy, needed friends in places he previously kept at arm’s length. Enter China’s enthusiastic support and North Korea’s willingness to sell missiles and lend soldiers, creating a trio that some might call opportunistic, and others might call opportunistically mischievous.
China, along with North Korea, seems pretty content with this new family dynamic. North Korea, always eager for hard cash, has been furnishing Russia with soldiers by the busload, and they aren’t doing it for free. They’re making what one might call a tidy profit, with numbers higher than many Americans probably make in several months. It seems Kim Jong Un is getting more than just his fair share of lunch money by supporting Vlad’s faltering military exploits.
But it’s not just about the money for China; there’s a strategic angle too. China knows that if Russia manages to hold its own against Ukraine, the global focus stays away from Beijing and its ambitions in East Asia. With less scrutiny, China can keep flexing its muscles without the U.S. turning the spotlight on it. For Beijing, peace in Ukraine means more eyes stealing glances at their affairs in Asia, and they seem to prefer playing puppet master from behind the scenes.
Former President Trump has never been one to shy away from highlighting what he considers strategic blunders. He has suggested imposing hefty tariffs on China and India for their oil-buying spree from Russia. These sanctions are crucial, he argues, to maintain respect for the United States on the global stage. Meanwhile, China thinks it has the upper hand, seeing the lack of action as a sign of weakness. But Trump keeps faith that the power dynamics will eventually shift in favor of American interests, driving home the notion that the U.S. should always be the one calling the shots.
