Opinion | Other nations should steer clear of Trump conflict with China

The United States’ dispute with China is about trade and competition. But US President Donald Trump’s administration has widened it by coercing allies to join in by banning equipment produced by Chinese tech leader Huawei and is suggesting relations will be affected should they refuse to take part. Britain has gone further, saying the West should be prepared to protect its interests in the Pacific and that may require sending its new aircraft carrier. Such outside interference and provocations are sowing mistrust, creating divisions and threatening stability.

Trump and the hawks in his administration have no concern about such matters; their intention is to ensure the US maintains its global dominance. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo articulated the strategy during his recent visits to Hungary, Slovakia and Poland in central Europe, telling governments that deploying Huawei equipment would make it more difficult for Washington to “partner alongside them”. The concern is that the tech giant has close links to the Chinese government and Beijing could use information it provides for spying, claims both have repeatedly denied.

Germany, Hungary and other US allies that also have good trading relations with China are being put in a difficult position. China would be foolish to risk such economic ties and cooperation. But there have been claims of retaliatory measures, again dismissed by China, the latest involving New Zealand, which rejected Huawei’s bid to build a 5G network. An event to launch the China-New Zealand Year of Tourism 2019 was unexpectedly postponed by Beijing on Tuesday.

Signs of strain? China postpones New Zealand tourism campaign

The military dimension is an especially worrying aspect; the US has been repeatedly sending warships into the disputed waters of the South China Sea, most recently on Monday when two destroyers sailed within 12 nautical miles of an artificial island built and controlled by Beijing. Britain, about to leave the European Union and seeking a new place in the world, sent an amphibious transporter through the seas last August and joined the US in military exercises in the region in January. Defence secretary Gavin Williamson, who last year announced plans for a Southeast Asian navy base, this week called for allies to be ready to flex military muscle and confirmed the country’s only active carrier would be deployed to the Pacific.

Such actions are aimed at provoking Beijing and ignore efforts being made by China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to finalise a code of conduct for the waters and resolve disputes through dialogue. China’s economic and social development depends on a peaceful and stable environment; it has no intention of stirring trouble. Nations being dragged into Trump’s conflict should review their positions.