Using Alliance As Leverage with China
The Federation of Korean Industries recently had an interview with Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) President and CEO John Hamre, Korea Chair Victor Cha and Senior Vice President Matthew Goodman. They pointed out that South Korea needs to make the most of the KORUS alliance in relation to China as the new U.S. administration is expected to seek opportunities for cooperation with China with tension ongoing.
“The new administration’s diplomatic policies will continue to focus on Asia and cherish the alliance and the top policy priority will be a constructive framework for discussions to find where it can work together with China,” Hamre remarked.
“Both cooperation and competition will continue in the policies vis-à-vis China,” Cha said, adding, “Their cooperation will be seen with regard to global issues such as climate change response and anti-pandemic vaccines and the competition and tension will revolve around global value chain diversification, communications and network security, and human rights issues.”
“China is one of the most important markets for U.S. and South Korean enterprises alike,” Hamre continued to say, advising South Korea to make use of the alliance in the interest of security while continuously working with China for economic interests. The Korea Chair also stressed that South Korea does not have to choose one over the other between Washington and Beijing and the strong alliance should be maintained as it is.