The Guardian View on Donald Trump and India: the war of tariffs that strengthened China | Editorial

DOlald Trump’s imperialist tendencies believe that the American president is practicing customs tariffs and sanctions in expecting America to receive a greeting. After his last step – Punish India with 50 % definitions To buy Russian oil once I encouraged By the United States – it did not produce submission but the scene. India Narendra Modi sent to China for the first time in seven years when Xi Jinping hosted more than 20 commanders of the Scheghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) in Tianjin. He is in Tianjin, not Washington, where it seems as if the joint of history is moving.

It is easy to reject Sco: The bloc is a set of contradictions. India and Pakistan The opponents remain. China and India have been staring at the borders of the Himalayas, despite the melting of relations since last October Border penetration. Russia and China are competing to influence Central Asia. Unlike NATO, Sco has no binding defensive obligations. Throughout most of her life, it looked like a paper tiger, as she sent spaces that were all roar, not a bite.

But in political geography, manifestations are important. To see Mr. Modi, Mr. Shi and Vladimir Putin Smiling and joking is watching the effect of Washington fades. Mr. Trump’s broad tariff against India makes Tianjin big. Here was the Prime Minister of India – the Asian budget of the United States was supposed to be China – stressing that New Delhi and Beijing “Partners, not competitors“.

India account is clear and direct. It has red lines: agriculture It will not be opened to the demands of the United States; Oil purchases cannot be determined by Washington. the cease-fire With Pakistan, Islamabad confessed to it was not mediated by Mr. Trump. The income down will look like a weakness. Many better, from Mr. Modi’s point of view, to demonstrate that the United States cannot take India’s partnership with it, and to search for friends elsewhere.

For China, the rewards are immediate. Mr. Trump gave Mr. Shi a stage to be presented as an important multi -polar gathering. Cai QiThe Chief of Staff of Mr. Xi and a member of a ruling body in China – the first to occupy both roles since then Mao era – He was sent to meet Mr. Modi, an unambiguous gesture of the intimate relationship from the rulers of China. Beijing believes that Sco emphasizes the absence of the United States and allows others to seize the stage.

The effects of beyond South Asia. For Moscow, every shaking hands in Tianjin confirms that the sanctions did not make them an outlet. to turkeyThe attendees maintain his ambiguity as a member of NATO. For Iran, Sco Condemn The American -Israeli attacks that suffered this summer. Whenever this theater is that China and Russia as leaders of the non-Western bloc, it becomes difficult for Washington to mobilize the global consensus-especially on Ukraine-in future crises.

Tianjin was not about Eurasia. Spit Philipini On the eve of the summit, Taiwan reminded delegates of the most modern lines in China. SCO claims it is comprehensive. But Beijing runs the show. Mr. Trump sought KowTow from Delhi. Instead, beijing handed the platform for a long match – building a The system is out of the reach of the United States. Whether it will allow more space for the other maneu then. Sco may not fight China’s wars, but it guarantees that Beijing will not stand alone. This is the high price that may end up paying the delusions of Mr. Trump narcissistic.