In Global Politics, There Are No Permanent Friends or Enemies

By Asif Iqbal

When Donald Trump returned to power, the world witnessed a fresh wave of tariffs imposed on several countries, especially China. The heavy tariffs on Chinese goods quickly became global headlines. This economic confrontation shook international markets, and millions of investors across the world including in South Asia saw their investments suffer severe losses within days.

Only a few months ago, it seemed as if the United States and China had become each other’s greatest economic rivals. Both nations were imposing sanctions, tariffs, and technological restrictions on one another. Yet suddenly, the political landscape began to shift.

The same Trump who had been delivering harsh statements against China was now visiting Beijing. Meetings took place, discussions on trade and investment resumed, and signs of softer relations began to emerge. The obvious question is: why?

The answer is simple global politics is driven not by emotions, but by interests.

For decades, the United States has supported Taiwan in an attempt to contain China’s growing influence in the region. However, recent statements from Trump suggest that Washington may not continue providing unconditional military backing to Taiwan in the future. If that happens, China’s strategic power could grow significantly, potentially reshaping the balance of power across Asia.

At the same time, tensions in the Middle East Particularly involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz continue to alarm the world. If the Strait of Hormuz were ever blocked, the global economy could face a massive crisis. Since China is considered one of Iran’s closest allies, Washington understands that many international crises cannot be resolved without Beijing’s cooperation.

Another important factor is American domestic politics.

Trump needs economic stability to strengthen his position ahead of midterm elections. He wants lower inflation, stronger markets, and greater profits for American companies. This is why many major business leaders in the United States also favor improved relations with China.

From Tesla and Apple to NVIDIA and Boeing, nearly every major American corporation sees China as a vital market. NVIDIA wants to sell its advanced AI chips, Boeing wants to sell aircraft, and China itself remains interested in investing trillions of dollars into the American economy.

The countries that were standing against each other in a tariff war yesterday are now discussing trade, investment, and cooperation today.

• That is why the greatest lesson of international politics is this:
• Never consider any country a permanent friend or a permanent enemy.
• This is politics where interests can change relationships overnight.
• In the blink of an eye, a friend can become an enemy, and an enemy can become a friend.
• The world runs less on principles and more on interests.