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How does Trump’s latest fallout with traditional allies play into Beijing’s hands?

Observers say Trump is pushing old alliances to the breaking point, making allies recognise the need to ‘de-risk’ from the US.

Published: 9:43am, 13 May 2026

Read More: https://sc.mp/krzgn

Since returning to the White House, US President Donald Trump’s ‘America First’ policies have created diplomatic and economic rifts with traditional allies. Trump recently threatened to quit the 77-year-old Nato alliance, after European countries refused to join the US-Israeli war on Iran. His threats and actions suggest the US leader is trading decades of diplomacy for a transactional approach. But could China benefit from the widening rift?

How does Trump’s latest fallout with traditional allies play into Beijing’s hands?

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Observers say Trump is pushing old alliances to the breaking point, making allies recognise the need to ‘de-risk’ from the US.

Observers say Trump is pushing old alliances to the breaking point, making allies recognise the need to ‘de-risk’ from the US.