Both China and Russia suffered a major setback to their global ambitions when one of the largest economies refused to join their trading bloc, the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU). The EEU was founded by Russia in 2014 as a vehicle for increased economic and commercial integration among its members—Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan—and was widely seen by Russia and China as necessary for their strategic ambitions.
However, in 2019, Uzbekistan, widely viewed as a major potential member, refused to join. Analysts attribute Uzbekistan’s decision to a number of factors, including a lack of enthusiasm for Russian-led initiatives, domestic concerns about Uzbekistani sovereignty, and a desire to remain open to commercial opportunities with the European Union and Western nations.
This setback is significant because it means that both China and Russia are hindered in their ability to create a unified trading bloc in Eurasia to better compete with other major powers, particularly the United States. It also highlights impediments to closer Eurasian integration, as other potential members, such as Tajikistan, remain reluctant to join the union. Going forward, it is uncertain how these dynamics might evolve, and whether China and Russia will be able to find ways to overcome these obstacles.
