Russia and China have vowed to stand together and fight Donald Trump’s attacks on their economies as Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin sought to deepen their new-found strategic friendship.
The US president’s escalating tariff attacks and anti-trade rhetoric have damaged ties with Beijing while threats of crippling new sanctions have angered Moscow, helping to push the previously fractious neighbours closer together.
At a high-level summit yesterday the Chinese and Russian leaders discussed military co-operation, boosting economic ties and initiatives to use their local currencies for cross-border trade. The two countries’ strategic alliance has strengthened as Russia’s ties with western partners have soured and the trade war between Beijing and Washington has intensified.