China and the U.S. Election

As Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump enter the final stage of the presidential campaign, China watches their foreign policy statements closely for indications of their future positions on China. Such a keen interest is well-justified, since a new administration will always bring changes to U.S.-China relations. And, as both countries laud their ties as “the most important bilateral relationship” in the world today, there is no question that the interaction between the next U.S. president and China will have major rippling effects across the rest of the world.

It is no longer a secret that a potential Trump presidency is viewed in a largely positive light in China. Although Trump has not been particularly China-friendly (and even made some radical and negative comments about the country), the Chinese observers nonetheless believe that as a successful businessman, a President Trump will be able to demonstrate needed flexibility and pragmatism in his China policy rather than letting ideology or “principles” interfere.