Communist China is the greatest threat the United States faces, and addressing it should be President-elect Donald Trump’s top priority. But the world doesn’t begin and end with China and the Pacific. To succeed as commander in chief, Trump will need to master many other global challenges and opportunities.
With a strong economy and a shared adversary in Pakistan, India, the world’s most populous democracy, offers America a great and growing export opportunity for high-value trade, which serves a growing middle class. Unfortunately, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has gained a lot more from the U.S. in recent years than he has given back. Seeking positive relations, Trump should make clear to Modi that his vast energy imports from Iran and Russia and failure to reciprocate military exercises will limit America’s ability to provide certain technologies and market opportunities. A fairer quid pro quo, a better deal, is in order and is what Trump says he’s best at.
