A recent US intelligence report suggests that Chinese leaders are indifferent to the outcome of the upcoming US presidential election, displaying no preference between President Joe Biden and his predecessor, Donald Trump. This revelation, based on insights from anonymous American officials and reported by Bloomberg, comes as the first presidential debate approaches next week.
Both Biden and Trump have adopted critical stances towards China. Trump, the Republican candidate, advocates for higher tariffs on Chinese exports, while President Biden aims to establish a Pacific alliance to counter China’s increasing influence in the region. Biden has actively engaged with like-minded nations to counter Beijing’s growing influence, revitalizing partnerships with allies like India, Australia, and Japan.
Trump, who favors imposing high tariffs on Chinese products, criticized Biden last month for not taking more aggressive action against Chinese exports sooner, claiming credit for the tariff policies his Democratic successor has maintained. He even advocated for extending Biden’s recent tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles, semiconductors, and medical products to other vehicle types and goods. These actions highlight the escalating trade tensions between the two countries, which began during Trump’s presidency with the imposition of tariffs that triggered a tariff war with China.
This year, as a candidate, Trump has proposed imposing tariffs of 60% or higher on all Chinese goods and a 10% across-the-board tariff on goods from all origins.
The intelligence report suggests that officials in Beijing, much like their counterparts in Washington, anticipate the relationship between the world’s two largest economies to continue deteriorating despite recent attempts to normalize relations. Over the past few years, the United States and China have been at odds on various issues, including technology, human rights, and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. These long-standing conflicts underscore the challenges both nations face in stabilizing their bilateral ties, despite diplomatic efforts.
