Advancement of China is as consequential as changes in US: EAM Jaishankar

India's External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar has called the advancement of China in recent times "as consequential as the shifts in the American position." Speaking at the Carnegie India Global Technology Summit, Dr. Jaishankar added that "one is to some extent influenced by the other."

China's Advancement: An Unfolding

Underlining the two big changes in the world, the EAM said, "Changes in the United States, which all of you are as familiar if not more than me, I think is one big shift in the last year. But there's the other shift, and that's an evolution, you can say. It's something which appears, even if it is not, more of an unfolding rather than a dramatic event. And that is the advancement of China."

The China-US Equation

He added that the two could also be influenced by each other and said, "The trade story is also the tech story. It had its dramatic moments, Deep Seek was one of them. I would argue that the changes impelled by China are as consequential as the shifts in the American position. In fact, one is to some extent influenced by the other."

The Tariff Tussle

Dr. S Jaishankar's statement comes at a time when the United States and China are engaged in a bitter trade battle. US President Donald Trump, who announced a 90-day pause on his “reciprocal” tariffs for other countries, increased tariffs on China to 125%, accusing it of showing a "lack of respect to the world’s markets." President Trump’s move came after China’s decision to raise its retaliatory tariff on American exports to 84%. China has vowed to fight the tariff war to its end. In an official statement it said, “China will not sit back and let the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese people be deprived.”