Radar Armenia’s interlocutor is international affairs expert Shahan Gandaharian.
— Mr. Gandaharian, the US President’s visit to China took place. If we were to summarize, what conclusions can be drawn from this visit, and what were the main results?
— The statements are optimistic, but I do not think that this is a turning point. The US and China will remain economic competitors, but the trend is toward this happening without a sharp conflict. They are trying to control competitive processes by agreement. There is a factor of interdependence here. The parties understand this and are seeking common approaches and interests.
— It was reported that Trump and Xi discussed the issue of Iran and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Trump said: “Both the US and China want the straits to remain open for trade and the free movement of energy.” Will that be the case or not?
— Both superpowers want the reopening of Hormuz. The US president failed to resolve the Hormuz issue before leaving for Beijing. It turns out that China and we will decide the “grand deal” on Hormuz. Washington expects Beijing to pressure Tehran to reach a deal. In this logic, Iran becomes a “proxy point” for the China-US agreement.
— Trump also noted that his patience with Iran is running out. What does this mean? Will there be active military operations again in the near future?
— I don’t think so. It is a threat and a source of pressure to reach an agreement. But the Chinese rules are already in effect, and Iran must first coordinate its steps with China.
— What consequences will this visit and the upcoming developments have on our region?
— Let’s note that Putin’s visit to China is expected immediately after Trump’s visit. This speaks of ensuring Russian involvement in the process of new formations of the economic world order. Trump’s and then Putin’s visits to China underscore Beijing’s epicenter status in the global economy. And the trilateral, mediated by China in this case, will help prevent shocks across various geographical regions, including the South Caucasus.
