The White House on Wednesday released a ten-page document outlining the Trump administration’s strategy from 2018 to counter China – highlighting India’s role as a new ally in Asia.
The document contains few surprises, setting out plans to support allies and advance the economic and counter-espionage efforts of neighboring states.
However, the American cooperation with India is prominent in the assessment.
“A strong India, in cooperation with like-minded countries, will be a counterbalance against China,” he says.
‘China intends to dissolve US alliances and partnerships in the region. China will take advantage of vacuum cleaners and opportunities created by these reduced ties. ”
The White House National Security Council report states that the US ‘[a]I want to create a quadrangular security framework with India, Japan, Australia and the United States as the main hubs. ‘
The Trump White House released the document one week before President-elect Joe Biden takes office. Critics accuse Biden of being historically naive during the rise of China, especially over trade policy.
President Trump first cultivated a warm personal relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but the connection arose with a trade war aimed at enforcing an agreement to reform Chinese economic policy. Last year, Trump approved sanctions against Chinese officials for eliminating Hong Kong’s political autonomy and for abusing Uyghur-Muslim minorities. He also promised to economically “disconnect” the US and China in response to deception in early data on COVID-19.
Unlike Trump as president-elect, Biden has not spoken to the president of Taiwan since winning the election.
Trump visited India in February and in 2019 a “Howdy, Modi!” Offered. rally in Houston with 50,000 Indian Americans welcoming visiting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The strategy paper states that the US will try to ‘[a]accelerate India’s increase and ability to serve as a net provider of security and main defense partner; strengthens a lasting strategic partnership with India backed by a strong Indian Army that can work effectively with the United States and our partners in the region to address shared interests. ‘
According to the document, the US ‘[p]artist with India on cyber and space security and awareness of maritime domains [and] [e]xpand intelligence exchanges between US and India and analytical exchanges. ”
The vision for the advancement of India also includes'[w]ork[ing] with India and Japan to help fund projects that improve local connectivity between India and countries in the region. ”
The strategy, although outdated, highlights other traditional U.S. priorities, such as protecting Taiwan’s de facto independence from China and persuading North Korea to relinquish its nuclear weapons. Since the drafting of the document, the Trump administration has waged a largely successful campaign to discourage allies from using Chinese telecommunications company Huawei for 5G infrastructure due to espionage problems.
According to the document, the US ‘[e]Enables Taiwan to develop an effective asymmetric defense strategy and capabilities that will help ensure its security, freedom from coercion, resilience and the ability to engage China on its own terms. ”