China views Central Asia as trading risks elsewhere

Astana, Kazakhstan – January 26: January 26, 2025 people buy sausages and cheese on the agricultural trade market in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Shan Lou | Chinese News Service Gets the image

Analysts, as the state -supported companies sought to replace US imports and redirect exports.

In what seemed to attempt to humiliate the tariff care, Chinese state media on February 10 -In the day when Beijing hit the initial 10% of the energy import tariff in the United States-Views on a trip to Kyrgyzstan, where dozens of Chinese corporate representatives went to the neighboring country to explore partnership opportunities.

“It is expected that the permanent trade war will further deepen economic cooperation with the Central Asia countries,” said Junis Sharifley, Chinese project Global South, by diversifying exports, increasing participation in the regional connection and expansion projects in infrastructure.

China has established itself as a leading trading partner and chief foreign investor for five Central Asian countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan – a block that is considered as a key gateway for its Initiative by belt and roadA major infrastructure program announced by President Xi Jinping during An official visit to Kazakhstan in 2013.

In a significant demonstration of commitment in 2023, the first personal summit with the leaders of Central Asia took place in Beijing, where SI promised to update bilateral investments and trade ties. The coalition leaders are expected to be huddled again in June Next summit in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The US, however “The US Strategy for Central Asia 2019-2025: the upcoming sovereignty and economic prosperity.”

But his efforts were not enough.

“Central Asia remains a diverse region that attracts too little attention to the US,” said Kurtis Chin, a former US Ambassador to the Asian Development Bank and a senior employee of the Milken Institute.

“More than half of the battle for influence is manifested personally (and), this is that China and Chinese business are often supported by the state, well known, and Americans can be tough to match.”

“Additional Trade”

Chinese President Xi Jinping at a meeting with President Kazakh Kasim-Jamart Tokoi before the China Central Asia summit in Hajan, Shainunsi, China, May 17, 2023.

Florence Lo | AFP | Gets the image

Kyrgyzstan came to the next $ 22.7 billion in trade with China, then Uzbekistan with $ 13.8 billion, Turkmenistan from $ 10.6 billion and Tajikistan with $ 3.86 billion.

China’s imports from Kyrgyzstan grew more than 30 times in 2024 and more than 60 times in the first two months of 2025. Officials from Kyrgyzstan and China at the meeting earlier this month discussed the increase in bilateral trade before the registration so far 45 billion dollars by 2030 As well as plans to accelerate the construction of the new checkpoint and open new flights, reports local media reports Kyrgyzstani.

In retaliation against the introduction of US President Donald Trump, 20% of new tariffs for Chinese goods, Beijing gave additional duties up to 15% on coal, natural gas. cotton, agricultural products From the US

Chinese companies can “double the import of cotton from Uzbekistan and other Central Asia countries,” said Daniel Balas, a researcher at the S. Rajaramom School of International Studies. Despite the fact that the contribution of cotton imports from the region may not correspond to this from the US, it may “mitigate a certain influence,” he said.

China has received 35% of its import cotton from the United States as of 2024, according to the Nomura economists’ team, who expects Beijing to switch to other sources soon.

Energy, critical mineral, evs

Shenzhen, China – November 28: November 28, 2024 in Shenzhen, China, China, China, China, China, China, is a leading exporter of electric cars in China.

Xiaolu Chu | Getty Images | Gets the image

Distracted Moscow

Beijing took advantage of expanding its influence in the region, as the thirst for energy retreated after the Covid-19 pandemic, and at a time when Russia, which had a dominant influence in the former Soviet states, got into a grinding war with Ukraine and is subject to international sanctions.

Trump, Putin agreed with peace, will begin with the ceasefire and infrastructure

Source link