Unnerved by Trump, U.S. Allies Are Making Nice with China
In the early months of Donald Trump’s second presidency, a notable shift is underway in global diplomacy. Longtime U.S. allies, unsettled by aggressive trade policies, territorial demands, and unpredictable foreign actions, are increasingly turning toward Beijing to strengthen economic and strategic ties. This trend reflects a pragmatic effort to hedge against Washington’s “America First” approach, which has imposed tariffs on friends and foes alike while straining traditional alliances.
The latest development came on January 29, 2026, when British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Starmer described the encounter as an opportunity to build a “more sophisticated” and “comprehensive strategic partnership” between the UK and China. The visit, the first by a British prime minister in eight years, emphasized mutual respect, trade expansion, investment, and cooperation on global issues like climate change. Both leaders highlighted the need for consistent, long-term engagement in a volatile world, with Starmer stressing that closer people-to-people ties would foster better understanding.
This meeting follows a similar high-profile visit by Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney earlier in January 2026. Carney, who traveled to Beijing to meet Xi and other top officials, announced the forging of a “new strategic partnership” focused on energy, agri-food, trade, and broader economic diversification. Canada has taken concrete steps, such as reducing tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, to lessen dependence on the U.S. market amid ongoing tariff disputes.
These moves are driven by a series of Trump administration actions that have rattled allies. These include steep tariff threats against countries like South Korea, Canada, and several European nations; demands for U.S. control over Greenland, which provoked Denmark and other NATO members; and a U.S. military operation in Venezuela that resulted in the capture of President Nicolás Maduro. Such steps have fueled perceptions of U.S. unreliability, prompting middle powers to seek alternative partnerships for stability and growth.
China has adeptly positioned itself as a more predictable and business-oriented partner. By welcoming Western leaders and offering economic incentives, Beijing is capitalizing on the vacuum created by strained transatlantic and North American relations. Reports from outlets like NPR and Al Jazeera describe these engagements as primarily pragmatic and trade-focused—often framed as “soft power” or “diversification” strategies—rather than outright abandonment of the U.S.
Leaders like Starmer and Carney have portrayed their outreach as a necessary “third path” for middle powers in a ruptured global order. They aim to build resilience through broader networks, including potential ties with other nations like India and Australia, while maintaining core alliances with Washington. However, critics warn that this hedging could erode Western unity against China’s long-term ambitions, potentially giving Beijing greater leverage in international affairs.
As Trump’s transactional style continues to disrupt established norms, the pattern suggests a broader realignment: allies are not severing ties with the United States but are actively recalibrating to reduce risks from perceived instability. Whether this trend deepens or reverses will depend on future U.S. policy directions and the evolving global balance of power. For now, Beijing appears to be reaping diplomatic and economic benefits from Washington’s self-imposed isolation among its traditional partners.
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