Belarus trade with China will widen trade deficit

Significance Belarus is developing a dependence on Chinese imports, especially for high-tech consumer and investment goods, to complement its reliance on Russia for energy. It cannot expand exports to China at the same rate and the rupture in Western ties has reduced its value as a conduit for China-EU trade. Impacts Moscow will take steps to prevent the development of one-sided economic ties with China elsewhere in the former Soviet space. The EU will not soften its stance towards Belarus for as long as President Alexander Lukashenko remains in power. Russia will seek greater direct and indirect control over Belarusian defence-industrial assets.