As traditional US allies hedge their bets, will China be the one to cash in?

South China Morning PostCenter-RightEN 1 min read 100% complete by Shi JiangtaoFebruary 7, 2026 at 03:00 AM

AI Summary

short article 1 min

Amidst uncertainty surrounding US foreign policy, China is increasing engagement with traditional US allies. Several Western leaders, including those from Canada, Ireland, Finland, South Korea, and potentially Germany, have visited or plan to visit China in early 2024. This outreach follows a visit from the British Prime Minister, ending an eight-year diplomatic freeze. Some observers suggest China is employing a "wedge strategy" to weaken potential anti-China coalitions and reshape global dynamics. These US allies are seeking to diversify their relationships, hedging against both an unpredictable United States and a more assertive China, particularly given concerns about the US-led global order.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

South Korea 30% Finland 30% Ireland 30% Xi Jinping ×240% Keir Starmer 50% Canada 50% Beijing ×250% UK ×250% Mark Carney ×360% Donald Trump ×270% United States ×680% China ×490%

Keywords

china 90% us allies 90% diplomatic relations 70% global order 60% great-power rivalry 60% wedge strategy 50% donald trump 50% international relations 40% xi jinping 40%