Are Russia and China a Threat?

Case Study # 1

China and Russia’s economic and political relationship may divert foreign direct investment away from the United States economy. China uses aggressive economic tactics such as the Belt and Road Initiative in Asia and Europe and trade-debt diplomacy in Africa to secure its international standing. China’s trade-debt diplomacy (aka trap-debt diplomacy) in Africa can improve its business reputation and expand its economic soft power.

Coupled with China’s focus on building trade infrastructure in Europe, Putin’s developing Eurasian Economic Union in Western Europe could create a competitive alternative to the US market.

However, there are still mutual uncertainties between the two rising powers. Recently, negotiations over a Russian fighter jet sale to China has broken down, due to Russian fears over Chinese technological capabilities. Thus, while it seems like future economic and possibly military cooperation between Beijing and Moscow are certain, it is unlikely that this will result in a significant alliance between the two against the forces of the EU and the US, due to mutual distrust.