China and Russia criticise Trump’s first moves on climate, WHO and Panama

Putin and Xi in videocall: ‘United for a fairer multipolar world order’

In the aftermath of Donald Trump’s inauguration as the 47th president of the United States, the leaders of Russia and China, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping, held a video call to discuss the most pressing international issues. The conversation, confirmed by both Chinese broadcaster CCTV and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, focused on strengthening cooperation between Moscow and Beijing.

‘We jointly support the construction of a more equitable multipolar world order and work in the interests of ensuring indivisible security in the Eurasian space and the world as a whole,’ Putin said, emphasising the stabilising role of cooperation between the two countries in international affairs.

The first tensions with the US

The statements by the two leaders come as China and Russia express concern over some of Trump’s decisions in the first hours of his term.

Beijing harshly criticised the announced US exit from the Paris Climate Accords. ‘Climate change is a common challenge for all humanity and no country can solve the problem alone,’ said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun.

On the health front, China expressed disappointment at the US withdrawal from the World Health Organisation (WHO), decided by Trump in an executive order. ‘The role of the WHO should only be strengthened, not weakened,’ Guo stressed, reiterating China’s support for the organisation.

The inclusion of Cuba on the blacklist of countries that support terrorism was also described by Beijing as an ‘act of bullying’ and an example of ‘hegemonism’ on Washington’s part.

Tensions over the Panama Canal

On the Russian side, the announced discussions between Trump and the government of Panama on the control of the Panama Canal are worrying. The director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Latin American department, Alexander Shchetinin, recalled that the canal’s international legal regime, enshrined in the 1977 Torrijos-Carter Treaty, guarantees its neutrality and accessibility to world trade.

‘Russia confirms its obligations to maintain the neutrality of the Panama Canal and supports the safe and open preservation of this key waterway,’ Shchetinin said, adding that the US should not interpret the treaty as a right to interfere in Panama’s internal affairs.

Awaiting contacts with Trump

Despite the rising tensions, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reported that preparations for talks between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump have not yet begun. ‘Not yet,’ he replied when asked if there had been any contacts between the two leaders.

THE LATEST NEWS

[recent_post_slider design=”design-07″ show_author=”false” slider_height=”390″ lazyload=”progressive” limit=”6″ category=”11728″]

(Photo: © AndKronos)