After nearly 50 years of 'friendliness' with China, will the US pivot to Russia?

If the pivot to Russia is made, it will be the first major adjustment in US foreign policy since 1971 under President Richard Nixon.

As the inauguration day approaches, speculation about the US administration's policy adjustments towards Russia under President Donald Trump is attracting more and more public attention, not only domestically but also internationally. If the pivot to Russia is made, this will be the first major adjustment in US foreign policy since 1971 under President Richard Nixon.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) and US President-elect Donald Trump. (photo: New York Post).

A week before the inauguration of the 45th US President, US and Russian officials have continuously made constructive statements, leaving the door open for future cooperation. On January 17, on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Mr. Trump's advisor on business cooperation Anthony Scaramucci said that the US and Russia could improve relations within a year because the leaders of the two countries share the same views on many issues of common interest.

On January 15, in an interview with the international press, Mr. Trump also suggested that he would lift sanctions against Russia in exchange for a deal to drastically reduce nuclear weapons. Previously, many Russian officials, including President Putin, also affirmed their willingness to restore relations with the US. Officials from both countries even hinted at the possibility of the two countries' leaders meeting soon.

Domestically, despite facing fierce opposition from the Republican Party, Mr. Trump has repeatedly expressed his intention to defend the Russians against accusations from US security and intelligence agencies that Russia interfered in the recent election.

In the new administration's cabinet, two bright faces nominated for the position of Secretary of State Rex Tillerson and National Security Advisor retired general Michael Flynn are both pro-Russian and have quite close ties to President Putin's administration.

These moves appear to be a replay of what President Nixon and Secretary of State Henry Kissinger did to promote relations with China in 1971.

In fact, Russia has repeatedly cooperated better with Republican presidents. In addition, Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin have similar views on world politics, both are considered nationalists, both emphasize pragmatism and concrete things.

Therefore, speculations about the possibility of the US administration under President Trump pivoting to Russia are completely grounded. If the US pivots, this will be the first time Washington has made a major change in its foreign policy in nearly 50 years. By pivoting to Russia, Mr. Trump also has certain advantages when both sides are expressing their desire to improve relations.

Economically, Russia is not a competitor of the US but has a close relationship with the US in the field of import and export, especially the relationship between Secretary of State nominee Rex Tillerson, former Executive Chairman of Exxon Mobil Corporation, a company with a $500 billion contract with Russia. The future of Russia-US relations has made China express concern that improving US-Russia relations will be detrimental to US-China relations.

However, abandoning China and turning to Russia is not an easy task for Mr. Trump. With the current close trade and economic relationship, it is difficult to imagine how the new US administration can reverse the policy towards China of the past half century.

Post-Cold War US policy was dictated by globalist businessmen, while Mr Trump is a populist businessman. Mr Trump is presenting himself as someone who pursues the interests of the US and the American people.

Trump’s tough statements towards China are aimed at seeking favorable bargains for the US. Therefore, the tension in relations with Russia under President Trump may have eased, but only superficially.

To establish a substantive cooperative relationship, the two countries will need a long time and only after Mr. Trump determines that American interests coincide with those of Russia, which is still quite vague at present./

According to VOV