The first presidential debate hosted by CNN witnessed India and China becoming focal points in the discussions between President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, both vying for a second term in the White House in the November election. The two candidates clashed fiercely over climate policy and international relations, with Trump making audacious claims and Biden staunchly defending his administration’s actions.
Trump, during the debate, emphasized his commitment to environmental standards achieved during his presidency, proclaiming, “I want immaculately clean water, air. When I was the president, we had it. We had the best numbers ever. During my four years, I had the best environmental numbers.” In contrast, Biden presented his climate policy achievements, stating, “I passed an extensive climate policy….I immediately joined the Paris Peace Accord.” Notably, Trump had withdrawn the US from the Paris Accord during his tenure as president.
Trump went on to criticize the Paris Accord, asserting, “It would have cost a million dollars to the US while other countries like India, China and Russia had to pay nothing.” He further leveled accusations against China, alleging economic aggression against the US. “China is going to own us if you keep allowing them to do what they’re doing to us as a country,” he warned Biden. “They are killing us as a country, Joe, and you can’t let that happen. You’re destroying our country,” Trump continued, claiming that Biden’s policies were pushing the US towards a potential world war. He also criticized Biden’s military policies as “insane,” asserting that leaders like China’s Xi Jinping, Russia’s Vladimir Putin, and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un lacked respect or fear for Biden. “They have nothing going with this gentleman and he’s going to drive us into World War III,” Trump declared.
Trump escalated his personal attacks on Biden, labeling him a “Manchurian Candidate” and alleging he was “paid by China”. “We now have the largest deficit in the history of our country. We have the largest deficit with China. He gets paid by China. He’s a Manchurian candidate. He gets money from China,” Trump asserted. The term “Manchurian Candidate” signifies a person, particularly a politician, being manipulated as a puppet by an enemy power. It originates from a novel by Richard Condon in 1959 and a subsequent film adaptation in 1962, portraying an American soldier brainwashed into becoming an assassin for a communist conspiracy. Trump’s use of this term implied Biden was being controlled or influenced by China, a severe and provocative accusation.
Biden countered Trump’s allegations, pointing out that the US had its “lowest trade deficit with China since 2010” and accusing Trump of failing to make “any progress” with Beijing. Reports following the debate cited the US Census Bureau records to support Biden’s claim. The trade deficit with China stood at $279 billion last year, the lowest since 2010, down from a record $418 billion in 2018 during Trump’s presidency.
Both candidates pledged to adopt a tough stance on China. Trump promised to increase tariffs by 10% on all imports and hinted at taxes as high as 60% on Chinese exports. Biden, while maintaining the tariffs imposed by Trump, announced new tariffs reaching 100% on electric vehicles. Trump dismissed concerns about his policies potentially raising US inflation and harming American consumers, arguing that such hikes would compel countries like China to pay more to the US and reduce the trade deficit.
The debate emphasized the heightened focus on China and India within the US political landscape, reflecting broader anxieties about international trade, climate change, and national security. These concerns are especially pertinent considering the ongoing tensions between Washington D.C. and Beijing over Taiwan and the South China Sea.
