In brief
As Biden prepares to hand over his China strategy to Trump, the future of U.S.-China relations hangs in the balance, prompting questions about Trump's approach to managing tensions.
In the wake of President Biden's close collaboration with Asian allies to counter China's influence in the Pacific, the future of U.S.-China relations is poised for change under President-elect Donald J. Trump. Biden’s administration spent years strengthening ties with allies, including Japan and the Philippines, to establish a robust defense against China's growing assertiveness. These alliances symbolize a collective approach, which Biden and his team hope will provide Trump with a more coordinated framework for dealing with China.Conversely, Trump's early actions suggest a markedly different approach. His invitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping to attend his inauguration and his recent phone call with Xi indicates a willingness to engage on a personal level. Unlike Biden’s multilateral strategy, Trump appears to prioritize economic negotiations and rapport with Xi, suggesting a possible return to a more isolationist stance that prioritizes business interests over geopolitical competition.Biden's legacy regarding China will likely be viewed as a progression of Trump's previously established competitive policies. His administration's alliances are a testament to the ongoing struggle to manage China's rise, but the effectiveness of these strategies remains uncertain with Trump at the helm.Experts are closely monitoring how Trump's admiration for Xi and his alignment with business moguls advocating for deeper economic ties will shape future policies toward China. As the transition unfolds, the international community watches with apprehension, questioning how long-lasting the alliances built by Biden can endure under Trump's leadership, and whether the competitive edge in U.S.-China relations will become less robust.
