Following the signing of the Mishia-EU agreement, questions arise about its influence on US strategies toward China, particularly concerning US-China relations after the possible introduction of tariffs on August 8 by President Trump.
The expert notes that when the US announces new sanctions or tariffs, there is usually a delay—often two months or more—before they come into effect. India, for example, has indicated it could stop buying Russian oil within two months, potentially pushing Russia out of part of the global oil market. At the same time, China is unlikely to concede to direct pressure, instead considering such developments mainly in the context of US-China negotiations.
Even if the agreement impacts part of China’s trade with Russia, the ultimate determinant will be a major US-China trade deal. The expert points out that such agreements are often used as levers in a broader political game by Donald Trump, for whom Russia has lost its former strategic value and has become a bargaining chip, while China remains the priority partner. China’s own leverage, such as its rare earth metals, remains central in this dialogue.
In general, agreements between third countries can shift the global balance, but significant changes in US-China positions are likely only after a substantial trade deal and a reassessment of strategic resources.
