Donald Trump Changed the Game With China. Now He Could Win It.
Donald Trump’s presidency has been defined by his tough stance on China. From imposing tariffs on Chinese goods to labeling the country as a currency manipulator, Trump has made it clear that he believes China has been taking advantage of the United States for far too long. And while his approach has come under scrutiny from many critics, there is no denying that he has changed the game when it comes to U.S.-China relations.
One of Trump’s most notable actions was the signing of the Phase One trade deal with China in January 2020. This agreement aimed to address some of the longstanding issues in the U.S.-China trade relationship, such as intellectual property theft, forced technology transfer, and market access barriers. While the deal was hailed as a victory for Trump, critics pointed out that it fell short of addressing some of the more structural issues in the trade relationship.
Despite the criticisms, Trump’s tough stance on China has had a significant impact. Chinese President Xi Jinping has been forced to make concessions and negotiate with the U.S. in a way that previous administrations were unable to achieve. And as a result, the trade deficit between the two countries has decreased, and China has pledged to purchase more U.S. goods and services.
Now, as Trump’s presidency comes to an end, he has the opportunity to further solidify his legacy by pushing for even more significant changes in the U.S.-China relationship. With tensions between the two countries at an all-time high, Trump has the chance to build on the progress made with the Phase One trade deal and address some of the more pressing issues, such as human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea.
However, with the recent election results indicating a win for Joe Biden, it remains to be seen whether Trump will be able to realize his vision for U.S.-China relations. Biden has signaled that he will take a different approach to China, focusing more on working with allies and multilateral institutions to address China’s rise as a global power.
Regardless of the outcome of the election, there is no denying that Trump has changed the game when it comes to U.S.-China relations. His tough stance on China has forced Beijing to the negotiating table and has brought attention to some of the more problematic aspects of the U.S.-China relationship. And while his methods may have been controversial, there is a possibility that he could emerge as the winner in the game he helped to shape.