A Washington–New Delhi Alliance Is a Perfect Storm Against China, for India

As China’s trade with the U.S. shrinks and its economic problems deepen, India’s trade and strategic ties with the U.S. are set to expand significantly.

U.S. President Donald Trump shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting in the Oval Office in Washington on Feb. 13, 2025. Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

Commentary

As China’s trade with the United States continues to diminish, Beijing is anxious to stabilize trade relations with Washington—and has done so, at least for a while. But how long will any trade agreement last if the Chinese regime continues to violate it?

Beijing’s Jitters: A Shifting Trade Landscape

The harsh reality is that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is aware of its precarious position. On the one hand, China desperately needs to stabilize its trading relationship with the United States. On the other hand, it can’t live up to agreements because it has to cheat on trading terms, as structural weaknesses prevail in driving the economy downward. As a result, the trust level between Washington and Beijing is low.