Battle Lines Are Drawn

In the past few weeks, photos of China's President Xi Jinping, India's Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, and Russia's President Vladimir Putin have circulated.

- WILSON SY

In a show of unity, the three leaders were seen smiling and laughing together at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. This emerging alliance is a clear affront to the US, which has sought to assert its dominance over the three countries. China and India have been the targets of steep US tariffs while Russia has received punitive economic sanctions for its war against Ukraine.

Trump's antagonistic stance has forced Xi, Modi, and Putin to align more closely. In this confrontation, Trump faces a unique set of leaders which may have distinct advantages over him. Trump's executive powers have limits as he governs a democratic country with strong institutions. In contrast, Xi and Putin are powerful authoritarians with little to no opposition in their respective countries. There are also rumors that Trump, Xi, and Putin are sick. But based on age, Trump is already 79 years old; Modi is 74, while Xi and Putin are both 72. Trump's term will last up to 2028, Modi's term will end in 2029, and Putin's term is up to 2030. On the other hand, Xi is practically president for life.

Trump's unpredictable behavior, chaotic policies, and adversarial stance have forced major countries to band together and unite against him. Former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers said, "The classic maxim of foreign policy is to unite your friends and divide your adversaries. We have managed to unite our adversaries and divide our friends."