Exploring the Competition and Technological Decoupling between the US and China. A Case Study of the Digital Silk Road and the EAEU States

Ch. 27. P. 417–431.

Lev M. Sokolshchik, Eduard Z. Galimullin

The United States–China rivalry is encompassing more and more spheres, affecting global and regional development and other countries’ policies. Technological competition is becoming one of the critical topics given the importance of this area and the ambitions of the two states. United States–China technological decoupling may put the countries in front of a choice between falling under American or Chinese technological influence. Amid China’s growth, the United States government sanctions the competitor and deploys exceptional support measures for local innovations. This chapter aims to discover the implications of this standoff at the EAEU battleground in the foreseeable future. The results demonstrate that while both sides lack the necessary capabilities to gain full control in the EAEU member states, China is better positioned to compete. Russia’s deteriorating relations with Western countries and its pivot to the East provide additional arguments in favour of China’s possible technological dominance in the region. Beijing has reinforced its standing in high-tech industries but needs to counter the United States’ attempts to challenge the competitiveness of its tech companies. Therefore, the growing rivalry between the United States and China appears to be a factor that will determine the framework of the Multipolar World Order 2.0.

Keywords: Russia, China, EAEU, United States–China rivalry, Technological Decoupling

In book

Routledge Handbook of Chinese and Eurasian International Relations

L.: Routledge, 2024.