The White House released on Wednesday a 10-page document outlining the Trump administration’s strategy from 2018 to combat China – emphasizing India’s role as a new ally in Asia.
The document contains few surprises, outlining plans to support allies and boost neighboring states’ economic and counterintelligence efforts.
But US cooperation with India is highlighted in the assessment.
“A strong India, in cooperation with countries with similar ideas, would act as a counterweight to China,” says the document.
“China intends to dissolve US alliances and partnerships in the region. China will explore the voids and opportunities created by these reduced ties. “
The White House National Security Council report said the United States will “[a]im to create a quadrilateral security structure with India, Japan, Australia and the United States as the main centers. “
Trump’s White House released the document a week before President-elect Joe Biden took office. Critics accuse Biden of being historically naive during China’s rise, especially in trade policy.
President Trump initially cultivated a warm personal relationship with Chinese President Xi Jinping, but the link went sour with a trade war that aims to force an agreement to reform Chinese economic policy. Last year, Trump authorized sanctions against Chinese officials for eliminating Hong Kong’s political autonomy and for mistreating Uighur Muslim minorities. He also promised to “decouple” the US and China economically in response to the mistake in the first COVID-19 data.
Unlike Trump as president-elect, Biden has not spoken to the president of Taiwan since he won the election.
Trump visited India in February and in 2019 presented an event “Hello, Modi!” demonstration in Houston with 50,000 American Indians welcoming Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The strategy document says that the US will seek “[a]accelerate India’s rise and ability to serve as a security provider and a Major Defense Partner; solidify a lasting strategic partnership with India supported by strong Indian military capable of collaborating effectively with the United States and our partners in the region to address common interests ”.
The document says the United States should “[p]artner with India on cyber and space security and maritime domain awareness [and] [e]xpand intelligence sharing and analytical exchange between USA and India ”.
The vision to boost India also involves “[w]ork[ing] with India and Japan to help finance projects that improve regional connectivity between India and countries in the region. “
The strategy, while outdated, emphasizes other traditional US priorities, such as protecting Taiwan’s de facto independence from China and persuading North Korea to give up its nuclear weapons. Since the document was drafted, the Trump administration has launched a largely successful campaign to discourage allies from using Chinese telecommunications company Huawei for 5G infrastructure due to espionage problems.
The document says the United States should “[e]enable Taiwan to develop an effective asymmetric defense strategy and capabilities that will help ensure its security, freedom of coercion, resilience and the ability to engage China on its own terms. “