US-India Trade: A Counter to Chinese Dominance in the South China Sea
Abstract
To effectively counter China in the SCS, the US needs to establish a formal bilateral trade agreement with India. This formal trade agreement would counter Chinese regional dominance in the SCS through a weakened Chinese economy, an India with strengthened regional influence, and the creation of a global supply chain competitor to China. A formal trade agreement with India that encourages a shift of US imports from China to India will weaken China's economy, resulting in a weaker military and belligerence in the SCS. India is already an informal trade and security partner with the US, which has provided the conditions to enter the next step of developing a formal trade agreement that will elevate India to a stronger political and military position in the region. India has the demographic and industrial characteristics to serve as a global competitor against China while also having the nationalistic and political will and a formidable military to counter China in the SCS. This paper explores the competition mechanisms that the USINDOPACOM can utilize as part of an operational campaign to develop leverage sufficient enough to influence Chinas activity in the SCS through a formal trade agreement with India.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 25, 2021
- Accession Number
- AD1144817
Entities
People
- Peter O. Gustafson
Organizations
- Naval War College