- US trade wars strengthen Russian-Chinese ties
The trade war between U.S. and China is broadly discussed in Russia. Russia, which has been in a different type of trade war with the U.S. for years because of the sanctions, wants to further strengthen its cooperation with China amid the increasing trade tensions.
During a visit to China, Russian Minister of Industry and Trade Denis Manturov said that strengthening of Russian and Chinese industries creates worries among U.S. and other Western countries, adding that this “discontent” is a source of motivation for Beijing and Moscow.
Russia aims at increasing cooperation with China, especially in metallurgy, aluminum, electronics industry, medical products, automotive industries, Manturov said.
“The sanctions imposed by the U.S. and Western countries push us [Russia, China] to deepen our cooperation and find solutions,” he added.
Meanwhile, U.S. State Department imposed new sanctions on Russia in accordance with the presidential decree signed by President Donald Trump by targeting 30 people and 3 organizations in the Russian military and intelligence cadres.
Kremlin Spokesman Dimitry Peskov was quick to criticize the step by pointing out that the U.S. has further damaged bilateral relations with this decision.
“Such actions are hostile and even more damaging to bilateral relations that are already at poor level,” Peskov said.
Peskov blamed the U.S. for creating unfair competition through sanctions and added that, “The U.S. is trying to use methods contrary to international trade principles in order to remove its main competitor from the arms market.”
Peskov also commented on the claims in the German media that Russia will finance the Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline project alone. Russia has the opportunity to carry out the project on its own if the U.S. implements sanctions on the project, he said.
According to German media, Russian President Vladimir Putin had promised German Chancellor Angela Merkel that the project would be completed by Russia alone if the U.S. imposed sanctions on North Stream2.
“But we hope that such hooliganism [US sanctions] will not happen,” Peskov added.
U.S. President Donald Trump said last week that Washington has no plans for imposing sanctions on companies that contribute to the project.