China has aligned its cooperation model with Saudi Arabia’s own priorities, most notably since the kingdom unveiled its Vision 2030. Although China announced the Belt and Road Initiative in 2013, the big push in relations happened only after the ascendance of King Salman to the throne in 2015 and Riyadh’s push for Beijing to meet Saudi needs.
A conversation about China’s switch from emulation to entrepreneurship; relations with China under Trump; and why war over Taiwan is unlikely in the next four years.
Why beefing up is bad strategy toward China.
Oil-dependent economies in the Gulf are looking to Chinese tech firms to drive technological progress in the region. Contrary to the narrative that Beijing is imposing its “digital model” on Gulf states, Chinese firms have adapted their strategies to adhere to the local political and regulatory realities in Gulf nations.
Longstanding assumptions and presumptions about American power, purpose, policy, and strategy in the world’s most economically dynamic region are about to go out the window. Nearly every major American relationship in Asia is heading for rockier shoals.
During Trump’s first term, Beijing scrambled to react. It is determined not to repeat that.
Trump’s history with China suggests a willingness to pair tough public posturing with pragmatic dealmaking, a strategy that could define his artificial intelligence (AI) policy.
