The economic bickering between the US and China had been simmering for some time, but boiled over when US President Trump raised tariffs and raised devastating trade barriers in 2018 after the US grew restless due to unfair trade methods from Beijing. Washington complaints included theft of trade secrets, theft of intellectual property and forced transfer of US technology to China. The subsequent fallout is yet to be resolved as both countries continue talks, but the economic impact on both has been huge, particularly on China as it looks to propel itself into dominance.
This has suddenly made Russia a lot more valuable a partner to Chinese President Xi Jinping, meaning Russia has benefited from closer ties between the two countries.
In June, Xi and Putin signed huge deals to further integrate the Russian and Chinese economies, including an agreement for Huawei to develop 5G in Russia, a deal on research and technology development and agreements on natural gas.
China is also Russia’s biggest trade partner while Moscow is Beijing’s biggest weapon supplier.
More worrying for the US is President Xi jinping and Mr Putin’s joint condemnation of Mr Trump at this week’s BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) summit.
Both launched scathing attacks on Mr Trump calling him a “protectionist bully” as trade war talks between Washington and Beijing rumble on.
Xi Jinping blamed Mr Trump for political hostility that has gripped the two countries. He said: “Protectionist and bullying counter-currents bring shocks to international trade, adding to downward pressure on the world economy.”
Russian President Putin also waded in with a damning assessment of his own as Mr Trump appears increasingly isolated on the world stage.
Mr Putin said: “The BRICS countries are making considerable contributions to support growth.
READ MORE: Putin joined by China in Crimea as Moscow and Beijing size up NATO
In South America, while the departure of Bolivian President Evo Morales is a rare blow for Russia, Mr Putin has ultimately seized control, especially in Venezuela where Washington’s efforts to out President Nicolas Maduro have fallen flat as Moscow backs the embattled regime.
Russia has also filled the power vacuum left by the US in Syria, making Mr Putin power broker in the Middle East after Mr Trump withdrew forces from northeast Syria, giving the green light Turkey’s violent incursion.
As the Kremlin becomes increasingly dominant, its strong links with China will cause yet more headaches in the White House.