Is Trump striking his own foot with axe

Xi Jinping, Narendra Modi and Vladimir Putin—each is among the most influential state leaders within their respective geopolitical spheres. When these three leaders sit at the same table, it resonates not only regionally but also in global diplomacy. Against the backdrop of the global unrest caused in recent years by Trump’s tariff policy and protectionist stance on trade, the question is now being seriously discussed in international circles whether this meeting signals a new polarisation. The united stance of these leaders, whose spheres of influence stretch from Asia to Europe, could have long-term implications for global economic balance, political diplomacy and security structures.

Since Trump came to power, US foreign trade policy has become increasingly protectionist. In particular, Washington’s harsh tariff policies towards China, India and Russia have not only created economic pressure but also sent a political message that America is prepared to abandon the rule-based multilateral trading system in order to preserve its dominance. On the one hand the slogan “America First”, on the other unilateral sanctions and trade wars—these no longer present the United States to the world as a “symbol of international leadership”, but rather mark it as an “unstable partner”. When Xi, Modi and Putin come together, the main issue before them is how to confront this unilateral pressure.

For China this is especially significant, because the US tariff war has directly hit Beijing’s export market and sought to slow its progress in the technology sector. In India’s case, tariffs on technology, pharmaceuticals and agricultural products have harmed its economic interests. Russia has already been under Western sanctions; as a result Moscow is compelled to seek alternative allies. In this context, new areas of understanding are emerging among the three countries.

From an economic perspective, the importance of this meeting becomes clearer. If China, India and Russia together create an alternative trade structure or economic cooperation bloc, it would challenge the US market-centred dominance. Already, in platforms like BRICS, they have taken joint initiatives, among which the BRICS Bank or New Development Bank is notable. In fact, Trump’s tariff policy has created an opportunity for them to draw closer. One key topic of discussion in the meeting could be to move away from a dollar-centred financial system and increase transactions in local currencies. Russia and China have already taken steps to bypass the dollar in bilateral trade. Similar measures with India could also strengthen. This trend is not only economic but also signals a major shift in the global geopolitical balance of power.

In political and diplomatic terms, this meeting could reinforce the trend of multipolarity in world politics. Since the Second World War, international relations were mainly divided into two camps—on one side the US-led Western bloc, on the other the Soviet-led Eastern bloc. After the fall of the Soviet Union, it was thought that the United States would emerge as the sole global ruler. But in the new millennium China, with its economic power, and Russia, through military and strategic resurgence, have challenged that unipolar dominance. India’s position has always been somewhat balanced, but in recent years Delhi has realised that its long-term national interests cannot be preserved by remaining solely under Washington’s umbrella. Therefore, India too is leaning towards a multipolar world order. The Xi-Modi-Putin meeting is making this tendency more visible.

In geopolitical reality this meeting could also affect the balance of power in South Asia and Central Asia. With the US withdrawing from Afghanistan and increasing instability in the Middle East, new power vacuums have emerged in these regions. China is building commercial corridors through its Belt and Road Initiative, Russia is striving to re-establish its traditional influence, and India is active in meeting its security and energy needs in the region. If the three countries work together, a new chapter could begin in the geopolitical map of South and Central Asia.

Security and defence cooperation is another possible dimension of this meeting. Russia has long been India’s principal arms supplier, China is rapidly modernising its defence industry, and the defence technologies of these two countries are important for India as well. On the other hand, the US is imposing various conditions in defence agreements, which hinder India’s independent decision-making. If the three leaders move forward in enhancing security cooperation, it could transform not only the arms trade but also the regional security framework. For example, joint initiatives could emerge in counterterrorism operations, cyber security or space technology.

However, there are no small obstacles on the path of this meeting and possible new polarisation. India-China relations have long been complicated by border disputes and strategic rivalry. Incidents like clashes in Ladakh have shown that mutual distrust remains stark. Russia, while traditionally close to China, also wants to maintain its strategic friendship with India. Therefore, in forming a long-term joint bloc, diverse conflicts of interest could arise among the three. This meeting will not entirely resolve these divisions, but it may help find areas of minimum understanding.

From the broader perspective of the world economy, the Xi-Modi-Putin meeting is in fact sending a signal—that no single power can control the whole world any longer. Trump’s tariff policy may have given the United States an opportunity to send a political message in the short term, but in the long run it has pushed other states towards alternative cooperation. The process of multipolarisation that has started as a result will be difficult to stop. Its impact will be felt in every field—international trade, technological development, energy security and military alliances.

The significance of this meeting is therefore not confined to immediate discussions. It essentially brings forth a new reality of a multipolar world order. Xi, Modi and Putin understand that individually none of them can withstand US pressure. But together they are capable of creating a new balance of power. Where this balance will ultimately lead depends on future diplomatic flexibility, economic exchanges of interest and management of regional crises. But it can certainly be said that on the stage of global politics this meeting has sent a powerful message—the world is no longer unipolar, it is moving towards multipolarity.

It is therefore clear that the Xi-Modi-Putin meeting is not merely a diplomatic formality, but rather the beginning of drawing a new map of power. Trump’s protectionist tariff policy may have preserved America’s short-term interests, but in the long run it has emerged as an inevitable reason for other powers to unite. If China, India and Russia can overcome their differences and maintain even a minimum coordination, the impact on the balance of global power will be profound and far-reaching. The world today is not bound within the narrowness of unipolarity; it is gradually entering a multipolar reality. In that reality, the Xi-Modi-Putin meeting has given a strong message—the playing field of power is no longer in the hands of any single actor, the future will instead be shaped by collective influence and alternative poles of power. Trump may have thought that through tariff policy he would protect America’s interests, but in the end he may have struck his own foot with an axe—because that very policy, instead of weakening his rivals, has become a powerful catalyst for their unity.

Chiraranjan Sarkar: Columnist