Trump’s win signals more confrontation with Beijing
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories. BEIJING—Donald Trump’s return to the White House injects new volatility into ties between the U.S. and China, threatening to transform a tense relationship between the world’s two main powers into something less predictable and more confrontational.
Trump’s election comes at a starkly different moment in U.S.-China ties than when he first took office in 2017. Prior to Trump’s first term, Washington largely played down differences with Beijing in a bid to bring China into the U.S.-led global order. Eight years later, Democrats and Republicans have converged on a far more hawkish posture, much of that a direct result of Trump’s tough rhetoric and action against Beijing—and China’s own increasing assertiveness.
President Biden has largely maintained policies from Trump’s first term, although he also talked about prioritizing stability in the relationship. Trump is less likely to offer such platitudes. In his campaign speeches, he has at times described China as a threat and raised the idea of slapping 60% tariffs on all Chinese imports, while at others expressing admiration at Chinese leader Xi Jinping’s ability to wield power over a vast nation.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning hewed to a cautious line on Wednesday, calling for mutual benefit between the two countries regardless of who is president. “Our policy toward the U.S. is consistent," Mao said during a daily briefing, as major U.S.
news outlets were projecting a Trump electoral victory. “We will continue to approach and handle China-U.S. relations in accordance with the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation." Mao declined to answer questions about the possibility of increased
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