Why US allies are resisting China’s charm offensive on trade

Why US allies are resisting China’s charm offensive on trade

Despite China’s “charm offensive” aimed at fostering trade cooperation, US allies are largely resisting these overtures due to deep-seated geopolitical and security considerations that outweigh economic incentives.

Key reasons for this resistance include

Unwavering Allegiance to US Strategic Architecture Centuries of shared identity, security integration, and cultural ties bind nations like the European Union, Japan, South Korea, Canada, and Australia irreversibly to Washington’s strategic framework.

Prioritization of Foundational Security Even amidst frustration with US trade policies and significant trade volumes with China, US allies instinctively safeguard intelligence-sharing pacts and defense commitments with the United States. Economic pragmatism takes a backseat to foundational security.

Cautious Response to China’s Offers While allies have voiced discontent over US tariffs, their reaction to China’s promises of mutual benefit has been “clinically cautious.” They lament US violations of multilateral trade norms but have not embraced China’s appeals to jointly defend the system.

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Lack of Meaningful Political Alignment China’s charm offensive, framed as a shield against American pressure, has not secured significant political alignment from these nations. Their discontent with the US fuels diplomatic appeals for restraint, not support for China-led confrontation.

Beijing has attempted to leverage US trade wars with its allies, viewing it as an opportunity for realignment and urging pragmatic cooperation. China has also sought to portray itself as a champion of globalization and free trade, particularly in response to escalating trade tensions with the US. However, despite these efforts and China’s focus on building relations with Europe as a global partner, swaying EU members towards Beijing remains challenging due to the long-standing US alliance and European trade concerns.