Trump C5 Superclub / Trump's 'C5 Superclub' Plan: India Eyed as Major Power Amid Tariff Tensions

Amidst simmering tariff tensions with India, US President Donald Trump is reportedly initiating efforts to mend relations by proposing a new 'C5 Superclub'. This exclusive group would include India as a major power alongside the United States, Russia, China, and Japan. The move, as claimed by a report from the American publication Politico, signifies a potential shift in global power dynamics and a strategic attempt by the Trump administration to rebalance its international relationships.

The Genesis of the C5 Superclub Idea

According to Politico's report, Donald Trump is allegedly contemplating the. Formation of an elite 'C5' or 'Core Five' global power group. This proposed club would comprise the United States, Russia, China, India, and Japan. The concept aims to bypass the existing Europe-centric G7 and other democracy-based groups of wealthy nations, which have traditionally focused on economically advanced and democratic states. The idea for this new 'hard-power' group reportedly emerged from a lengthy, unpublished version of the National Security Strategy issued by the White House last week, indicating a significant departure from conventional geopolitical alignments.

Trump's Strategic Objectives

Trump's plan clearly indicates a dual objective: to balance the strained relationship with India, which has been impacted by high tariffs, and simultaneously improve ties with China and Russia. The primary goal is to restore America's influence in East Asia and mitigate the dimensions of animosity with countries like India, Russia, and China. This strategy could help the US solidify its position in a multipolar world order, allowing it to cooperate with various major powers rather than solely relying on Western allies.

Proposed Agenda and White House Denial

The first proposed agenda for the C5, as per the report, focuses on security in the Middle East, particularly the normalization of relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia, while this is a critical geopolitical region where the US seeks to maintain its presence and influence. However, the White House has denied the existence of this document, while press Secretary Hannah Kelly emphasized that there is no “alternative, private, or secret version” of the 33-page official plan. Despite the official denial, national security experts believe the idea aligns with the Trump administration's worldview.

Expert Analysis and Implications

National security experts suggest that the idea is entirely “Trump-like” and could be suitable for the current White House, while tori Tausig, who served as Director for European Affairs in the Biden administration, stated, “It perfectly aligns with President Trump’s worldview. It reflects a non-ideological approach, sympathy for strong players, and a tendency to cooperate with other great powers that have regional influence. ” This perspective deviates from traditional American foreign policy, which often emphasizes democratic values and alliances.

Exclusion of Europe and Geopolitical Ramifications

Tausig also noted that this theoretical C5 has no place for Europe, “which would make Europeans feel that this administration views Russia as the dominant power that gets to have its sphere of influence in Europe. ” Michael Sobolik, a former aide to Republican Senator Ted Cruz during the first Trump administration, remarked that creating a C5 would be a complete reversal of Trump’s first-term China policy. The initial Trump administration adopted a concept of ‘great power competition,’ making this new proposal a significant deviation. This report emerges amidst ongoing debates in Washington about the extent to which a second Trump administration might upend the global order.

India's Potential Role and Challenges

The C5 concept suggests that existing forums like the G7 and G20 are inadequate. For a multipolar world, prioritizing negotiations among countries with large populations and significant military-economic power. US allies view this as “legitimizing dictators,” elevating Russia above Europe, and undermining Western unity and NATO solidarity. If this proposal advances, India could secure a permanent seat in a new global ‘superclub,’ enhancing its international standing. However, this could also lead to increased distance from Europe and existing democratic alliances, posing new challenges for India's foreign policy.

Trump administration is discussing the idea of creating alternative to G7 — Politico

The proposed Core 5 would unite five heavyweights:

🇺🇸 United States
🇨🇳 China
🇷🇺 Russia
🇮🇳 India
🇯🇵 Japan pic.twitter.com/pzPI2zDuxX

— RT (@RT_com) December 11, 2025