The efforts of U.S President Donald Trump to force Russia and China into political submission through economic restrictions have supported strengthening budding bonds being forged between the top 2-U.S rivals. There was a time when Trump administration was waging a multibillion-dollar trade war with Beijing and doubling down on sanctions against Moscow. The Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin have discussed their common interests at a plenary session at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum. Both leaders praised the relationship between their nations. The spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, Geng Shuang arranged a press conference in Beijing. Shuang informed reporters that the U.S has been labeling itself as a champion for free trade and democratic principles in the world economy. But, its competitors have become stronger after imposing a number of restrictions from the U.S administration, including waging a tariff war.
Shuang added that Russia will work to get more space for fair and democratic trading rules. Both Moscow and Beijing oppose unilateralism, protectionism and bullying practices. The two sides have agreed to further deepen comprehensive strategic coordination and continue to work together to build an open world economy. It will uphold the multilateral trading system and safeguard the international system. The Sydney-based Lowy Institute, Asia Power Index issued a 2019 report that China has continued to gain on the dominant position of the U.S in Asia as global economic influence moved from West to East. The report awarded China the highest annual improvement of any of the 25 nations ranked, though it remained a close second to the U.S. overall. Russia and China have motivated other countries to take similar positions. Putin and Xi signed an agreement to develop trade deals using their respective national currencies of the ruble and yuan instead of the U.S. dollar following last week talks in Moscow.