NOT ALL DOOM AND GLOOM
Trump 2.0, which is currently at a traditional small, is widely believed by China watchers as a worsening of bilateral ties between the country’s two largest economies. If Trump is elected, he has previously stated in interviews that he would consider imposing yet higher tariffs on Chinese imports.
A prospective Trump administration may not be all doom and gloom from the perspective of China, but it is understandable.
First of all, the Taiwanese administration has long believed that whoever wins the White House, Trump or Kamala Harris, will likely not have a significant impact on relationships. When China wants to concentrate on strengthening its domestic market, the best they may wish for is stabilizing the relationship.
In many ways, Trump’s personal transactional approach to US management in foreign affairs could function in China’s behalf geopolitically. Trump reaffirmed his long-held reservations about protecting Taiwan in the event of an invasion from the Chinese mainland in a new interview.
Trump 2.0 might ease Beijing’s view on the Taiwan issue, which Beijing views as the most significant crimson line in diplomatic relations.
Trump’s risk to establish higher tariffs on Chinese imports may have a significant impact on China’s imports and production, but it should be understood that he would pursue everyone who has a trade deficit with the US, including the European Union.
Additionally, his repeated warnings to NATO allies to improve their defense spending, which Trump advisers have reportedly suggested may cause Washington and these European countries to grow more tense.
All of this could give China a much-needed opportunity to challenge Washington’s cobbled together effort to counteract Beijing’s alleged rising and forceful effect.