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Nov 06, 2025
Ramaharitha Pusarla

The Strategic Reality of Trump’s G2 Reset

With his trademark social post, “The G2 will be convening shortly”, Trump drew global attention to the anticipated trade talks between the US and China at Busan in South Korea. Beijing long sought parity with Washington. By calling the meeting ‘G2’, Trump has fulfilled the CCP’s long-cherished Chinese Dream. By placing China in the same league, Trump lent legitimacy to China’s superpower ambitions. The acknowledgement of duopoly by Trump is an emphatic victory for Xi, struggling with economic slowdown, high unemployment crises, deflationary pressures and oversupply. The recently concluded fourth plenum of the CCP, held ahead of the Trump-Xi meeting, silently set the strategic tone. Though the focus remained on domestic affairs, with many simply dismissing the plenum communiques as political propaganda, they often chart China’s long-term plans. For instance, prior to the 13th five-year plan in 2015, the CCP plenum released a decade-long industrial blueprint for development that culminated in the launch of ‘Make in China 2025’ in response to Obama’s ‘Pivot to Asia’ policy. A decade hence, the Make in China has been extremely effective in thwarting Washington’s containment as Beijing achieved technological dominance in emerging technologies. Evolving the framework for the 15th five-year plan, the October plenum doubled down on achieving ‘self-sufficiency’ in ‘advanced manufacturing’. Taking note of the “complex and severe” international environment, the plenum has preferred a dialogue with the US rather than “decoupling and confrontation” with the underlying motive being “within crises lie opportunities, and crises can be transformed into opportunities”. Days after the plenum, the fifth round of trade talks between the US and China in Kuala Lumpur agreed to an extension of the trade truce beyond November 10th. Interestingly, the readout of the Xi-Trump meeting issued by the Chinese side noted, “Xi stressed that dialogue is better than confrontation”. China’s calibrated and measured response is at odds with the unmissable Trump’s exuberance, who boasted of a massive success in trade talks. But beneath the veneer of Trump’s proclaimed success of the US-China trade deal lies an inexorable truth of the temporary suspension of implementation of the rare earth export control measures announced on October 9 for one year. This implies that the earlier announcement on rare-earth curbs in April by China would still be in vogue. Trump reduced Fentanyl tariffs to 10% and suspended the implementation of the 50% penetration rule, 301 investigative measures for one year. In turn, China has also agreed to suspend the implementation of non-tariff countermeasures against the US for one year. Countries reached a consensus on anti-drug cooperation on fentanyl, and leaders agreed to work together for global economic stability. In all, Trump has trimmed the trade tariffs to 47% from 57%, lower than India's. China pledged to purchase 12 million metric tonnes (MMT) of soybeans this year and an additional 25 MMT for the next three years to stabilise ties. Beijing has also agreed to terminate investigations targeting US companies and resume trade from Nexperia facilities in China. Beijing’s blockade of Nexperia chip shipments sent shock waves across the European automotive sector. China released its press note on October 30, hours after the summit, White House’s Fact Sheet was out on November 1st. This gave upbeat Trump to revel in self-promotion as he effusively rated his meeting with Xi as “12 on the scale of 10”. By averting immediate escalation, both leaders secured a temporary reprieve from the retaliatory countermeasures. Yet, Trump’s climbdown reflected America’s waning economic leverage. He unleashed the tariff trade war to target China. But, given America’s reliance on China for critical minerals, he was compelled to take a restrained approach. By deferring the rare earth controls by one year, Xi avoided a serious trade escalation and demonstrated to the World who holds the cards. A tight leash on rare-earth exports can potentially choke the US economy. Back in 1992, on his tour to Baotou rare earth facilities, in Inner Mongolia, Deng Xiaoping stated, “The Middle East has its oil; China has rare earths”. Planning ahead of time, understanding the importance of rare earths, China’s industrial policy strategically prioritised them. While Beijing invested all its forces to dominate crucial mineral mining, refining and processing, General Motors of the US began divesting from rare earths. Countries should have paid heed to the said and unsaid words of Chinese leaders who were preparing to weaponise these crucial minerals. But the US, smitten by an industrial strategy paralysis, allowed the sale of GM’s Magnequench in Indiana to a consortium which had two sons-in-law of Deng on the board. The unit closed by the mid-2000s. Around the same time, the rare-earth reserve in Mountain Pass Mine, located in the Mojave Desert, which catered to 60 to 70% of global supplies, was ordered to shut down by the Environmental Protection Agency due to wastewater leakages. It was the world’s second-largest mine. While the US lagged, through export subsidies and asymmetric VAT systems, China favoured its domestic manufacturers. By the late 2000s, when the US stopped producing rare earths, China took the lead. Though Molycorp tried to revive the Mountain Pass in 2008, Chinese export quotas turned the market tide. By lifting curbs on exports after the diplomatic row with Japan in 2010, China exported rare earths at low profit margins. Backed by government subsidies, Chinese companies flooded the global markets, making the business unsustainable for others. After decades of policy paralysis, the US is making efforts to secure the rare earth supply chain through “Operation Warp Speed”. Treasury Secretary confidently remarked that European and Asian countries would join the US in developing reliable supply chains. Trump has alienated friends and allies with tariffs, fostering reluctance among countries to join Washington’s initiative. Even if the US aggressively pushes for self-reliance now, its efforts might at least take 5-7 years to yield tangible results. Having squandered decades of strategic opportunity, Washington finds itself playing catch-up to match an ascendant China. Endowed with substantial reserves of critical minerals, China has astutely mastered the technology to mine and process rare earths for decades. Controlling more than 69% of rare earth reserves and 90% of processing capacity, Beijing has also systematically acquired rare-earth mining rights from various countries to strengthen its dominance. Risking significant environmental dangers over many years, China has monopolised rare earth processing. Imposing tight controls on rare-earth exports, China not only signalled its willingness to wield economic coercion but also unintentionally exposed the United States’ strategic vulnerabilities and unpreparedness. US dependence on rare-earth far exceeds China’s requirement of US soybeans. With zero US soybean imports this harvest season, Beijing showed who held the cards in these trade negotiations. China trumped the US at its own game of economic warfare. By blocking rare earth exports and rerouting agricultural imports from Latin America, Xi has shown the world who is the boss. With few cards against Beijing, Trump wasn’t into hard bargaining with Xi. Instead, he was courting Xi to defer the tight regulations on critical mineral exports. For all the brouhaha, countries, at best, reached a status quo. A comprehensive trade deal remains elusive as of now, with no major breakthrough on the horizon. Trump is on a weak wicket, and the Republican containment policy of China hardly resonates with the American public. The 2025 Chicago Council Survey shows that 53% Americans favour friendly cooperation and engagement with China and only 50% perceive China as a threat to the US, down from 58% in 2023. Negative perceptions about China have rebounded, with Democrats holding the most favourable view of Beijing. As per the survey, Americans see the US and China as the top two global powers. 53% believe that America is strong militarily, while the verdict is narrowly split about the economic power- 34% see the US as a major economic power, and 33% perceive China as economically stronger. Given the rising inflation, Americans are rejecting high tariffs against China. However, a whopping 82% of Americans refuse the idea of granting China the sphere of influence of Asia. The survey may not be a true reflection of American society, riven by partisan affiliations playing a role in shifting attitudes. However, by and large, the underlying message of diminishing dominance of the US is clear. The age of American unipolarity is nearing an end. Trump started the trade war to bully China, got bullied in turn. Forced to dial down, pandering to Beijing, he hasn’t raised the issue of Taiwan or Chinese purchases of Russian oil during his meeting with Xi. Though the US still leads in innovation, design and advanced technologies, a retreating Washington is now focused on bolstering its hemispheric dominance. For the first time since the Cold War, America has grudgingly ceded ground to China, accepting its global rise. Bargaining from a position of weakness, Trump preferred to woo Xi to avert a plausible collapse of strategic industries due to the lack of rare-earth minerals. Trump’s unpredictability and transactionalism have eroded mutual trust even in alliance partnerships. Paradoxically, just as many Americans remain reluctant to decouple with China, Southeast Asian and European nations—despite territorial disputes and concerns over Beijing’s mercantilist practices—are choosing to manage their relationships with China rather than confront it. At the same time, they continue to maintain strong ties with the United States. While President Trump hastily framed the meeting as a “G2,” hinting at a global duopoly, the geopolitical reality today defies such binary divisions. The world can no longer be neatly delineated into spheres of influence or rigid blocs. Recognising their deep interdependencies, countries are increasingly prioritising strategic interests—engaging with major powers while retaining their strategic autonomy. The logic of G2 is misplaced in the contemporary geopolitical arena with multiple players and many poles. The rise of Middle Powers like India, Russia, Germany, Turkey and GCC nations and their growing relevance in the new global order hints at a new reset. However, as the great power competition between the US and China intensifies, the world will witness a restructuring of supply chains and a strategic realignment of countries to safeguard their national interests. Clearly, the archaic framework of G2 capable of imposing its decisions on the rest of the World is a relic of the Cold War era. Though Trump’s G2 offhand reference of G2 is the strategic reality of their mutual interdependencies, an impulsive compartmentalisation of spheres of influence undermines global stability. References Fact Sheet: President Donald J. Trump Strikes Deal on Economic and Trade Relations with China – The White House Why China curbing rare earth exports is a huge blow to the US America Gave Away Rare Earths - by Daniel Kishi Americans Reverse Course on US-China Competition | Chicago Council on Global Affairs

Nov 04, 2025
Shalini Venuturupalli

Breaking Boundaries: Indian Women Conquer the Cricket World

“Champions keep playing until they get it right.” — Billie Jean King The wait is finally over. The Indian women’s cricket team has done what generations before them only dreamed of — they have lifted their maiden ICC Women’s World Cup Trophy. This victory is not just about the eleven players who took the field; it’s a moment of pride for every woman who has ever dared to dream with a bat in hand and belief in her heart. The triumph stands as a testament to years of perseverance, grit and passion. From dusty, domestic pitches to the grandest stage of world cricket, this journey has been fuelled by the tireless effort of those who paved the path long before the spotlight arrived. For millions of fans across the country, this is more than just a cricketing achievement – it is an inspiring symbol of India’s growing sporting spirit and women’s empowerment. The campaign began on a bright note. India breezed past Sri Lanka and Pakistan, looking every bit like a team on a mission. But as the tournament progressed, cricket reminded them that no path to greatness is without hurdles. Consecutive losses to South Africa, Australia and England left their campaign hanging by a thread. Yet, in true Indian spirit, the team refused to give up. The turning point came against New Zealand, when Smriti Mandhana and rising star Pratika Rawal produced stellar performances to guide India to a much-needed win and secure a semi-final berth. But destiny had one more test in store. During a rain-hit match against Bangladesh, the in-form Rawal sustained an injury that ruled her out of the remainder of the tournament. She was replaced by the dynamic Shefali Verma, whose inclusion would later prove crucial. The semi-final line-up looked daunting. India was to face Australia, the same side that had handed them a crushing defeat earlier in the group stage. The tension was palpable, the expectations immense. But champions thrive under pressure – and on that night, India turned adversity into artistry. Australia posted a formidable 338, thanks to some explosive batting. At one point, they looked set for 350-plus, but the Indian bowlers held their nerve to keep the target within reach. It was still a mountain to climb – no team had ever chased that score in Women’s World Cup history. When both openers fell early, the challenge looked even steeper. But what followed was a partnership that will be remembered for years. Jemimah Rodrigues, promoted to no 3, was joined by skipper Harmanpreet Kaur in the middle. The duo weathered the storm and then counterattacked, stitching together a magnificent 167-run stand for the third wicket. Jemimah, calm yet commanding, notched up her maiden World Cup century. As the equation tightened, Richa Ghosh and Amanjot Kaur delivered the final flourish. Against all odds, India crossed the line with a few balls to spare, scripting the highest successful chase in Women’s World Cup history and etching their names into cricketing folklore. With Australia out of the way, India now faced an equally confident South Africa, which had dismantled England in their semifinal by 125 runs. One team had successfully defended a 300-plus total; the other had chased one. A blockbuster final was on the cards. Inserted to bat first, India got off to a flying start. The openers stitched a 104-run stand for the opening wicket, setting a solid platform. Smriti fell soon after, while Jemimah and Harmanpreet got starts but couldn’t capitalise further. Shafali held firm with a fluent 87 keeping the scoreboard ticking. Deepti Sharma’s composed half-century and valuable cameos from Amanjot and Richa powered India to 298 – the second-highest total in Women’s World Cup history. At the halfway mark, the question loomed large: was 298 enough against a side that had not lost a single match while chasing? The Indian supporters were optimistic but anxious. The chase began with South Africa’s captain, Laura Wolvaardt, leading from the front. Her effortless strokeplay brought her a fine century, and for a while, she seemed unstoppable. But the Indian bowlers kept striking at crucial intervals, never allowing a partnership to settle. The turning point came when Wolvaardt mistimed a lofted drive and was caught at long-off. The Indian players erupted — the door had opened, and they stormed through it. South Africa’s middle and lower order collapsed under pressure, and moments later, India completed a famous win. The celebrations that followed were scenes for the ages — teammates in tears, tricolours waving in the stands, and the echoes of a billion hearts beating in unison. The Indian women had done it. They are world champions. This triumph is not just a sporting milestone – it is a cultural moment. It signifies a shift in how women’s cricket is perceived, celebrated and supported in India. Young girls across the nation, watching with wide eyes and proud hearts, now know that the dream of playing for India is not distant – It’s possible. From Mithali Raj’s pioneering days to Harmanpreet Kaur’s era of dominance, Indian women’s cricket has come a long way. The World Cup win is both a culmination and a new beginning — one that promises a brighter, more inclusive future for Indian sport. As the captain lifted the trophy under the floodlights, the message was clear – Indian women’s cricket has arrived and is here to stay. For every young girl who picks up a bat today, this victory whispers a promise: The World is yours to conquer.