Trump Advocates for US-Russia Collaboration to Diminish China’s Influence: A Strategic Approach

## The Trump Administration: Reviving Old Allies

The Trump administration, once again at the helm of the United States, has resumed talks with Russia. The grand ambition? To end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, appears to be tilting towards a distinct geopolitical dance, suggesting that the United States might “partner with the Russians, geopolitically.” The underlying current, you see, is none other than China.

### A Bid to Drive a Wedge between Russia and China

In an intriguing move, Trump has vocalised a desire to pry Russia away from China, his strategy having been hinted at during an [interview with Tucker Carlson](https://www.c-span.org/program/campaign-2024/former-president-trump-campaigns-with-tucker-carlson-in-glendale-arizona/651374) in late 2024. He referred to the union of Russia and China as “stupid” and blames previous administrations for this alliance.

Trump’s objective is unambiguous – the United States, according to him, must unbind this Russo-Chinese synergy. Unsurprisingly, his diplomatic efforts are directed towards realigning these global behemoths to secure America’s imperial might.

### De-Dollarization and Rising Economic Threats

China’s burgeoning trade with Russia has seen the dollar sidelined from their bilateral exchanges. The usage of domestic currencies like the renminbi and ruble is reshaping their economic landscapes. This shift poses a tangible threat of de-dollarization, which Trump counterbalances with threats of 100% tariffs on BRICS countries opting out of using the dollar [in international trade](https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2024/10/19/brics-russia-multi-currency-system-us-dollar).

As of early 2025, despite threats, BRICS continues to expand, roping in nations like [Indonesia](https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2025/01/07/brics-adds-indonesia-member-economy/) and [Nigeria](https://geopoliticaleconomy.com/2025/01/19/brics-expands-population-nigeria-africa/). This organisation now accounts for a hefty portion of the global population and economic footprint.

### Inspiration from Nixon and Kissinger’s Playbook

Trump’s attempt at dissolving the Russo-Chinese alliance draws inspiration from a strategy once employed by President Richard Nixon.

Nixon’s 1972 trip to Beijing, amidst a Sino-Soviet split, was legendary. Washington’s Cold War chess game sought to pit two communist behemoths – Russia and China – against each other for strategic geopolitical gain. It was a move that contributed significantly to the Soviet Union’s eventual decline.

Such strategies have been likened to a “reverse Nixon” or a “reverse Kissinger,” echoing Henry Kissinger’s triangular diplomacy that advanced US interests by sewing discord between China and the USSR in the 1970s.

### Rubio’s Perspective: Reining in Relations

Leading Trump’s foreign policy charge is Marco Rubio. Rubio’s rhetoric underscores China as the paramount challenge the US empire has faced. His policies align with Trump’s vision, advocating less focus on Russia, and more intent on the potential Chinese threat.

Rubio’s statements have occasionally drawn the ire of international audiences, as he famously suggested the US should “partner with the Russians, geopolitically.” His stance is underpinned by the observation that the US, embroiled in Ukraine, loses ground to China’s ambitions.

### Western Far-Right and Strategic Alliances

Curiously, this rhetoric finds a sympathetic ear in the Western far-right. Viewpoints expressed by the likes of French nationalist Marine Le Pen reveal a shared ideological undercurrent. Le Pen has expressed an anxious desire to fracture the Russo-Chinese alliance, labelling it as one of the century’s gravest threats.

The United States, under Trump, represents a renewed vigour, zealously portraying China as the bogeyman in global politics, not least in dialogue shared by popular figures like [Tucker Carlson](https://twitter.com/BenjaminNorton/status/1650568629891522577), who sees China as a singular existential threat to US hegemony.

### A Tangle of Technology and Trade

China eclipses the world in several technological sectors, a point not missed by hawkish eyes. The US is rattled by China’s dominance in critical technologies, as a report details China leading in [57 out of 64 crucial technologies](https://www.aspi.org.au/report/aspis-two-decade-critical-technology-tracker).

Given these dynamics, Trump’s administration is wary of China’s growing influence and economic acumen, as described by neoconservative commentator [JD Vance](https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/02/politics/jd-vance-senate-test/index.html), detailing the challenges of navigating global leadership against China’s rise.

### Conclusion: A Return to the Chessboard

In summation, the Trump administration’s revival involves a heady mix of old alliances and new foes. Trump’s strategic ambitions evoke the echoes of Nixon and Kissinger, aiming to redefine alliances to counter China’s ascendancy. As the US remaps its global chessboard, the question remains: can these age-old tactics hold ground in the modern world?