When Donald Trump became President of the United States in 2017, he made it clear that he was going to take a tough stance on China. He imposed tariffs on Chinese goods, accused China of intellectual property theft, and criticized their trade practices. This aggressive approach to China was a departure from previous administrations, who had taken a more conciliatory approach to the rising superpower.
Many experts and critics were skeptical of Trump’s tactics, warning that a trade war with China could harm the U.S. economy and lead to retaliation from China. However, Trump remained steadfast in his belief that the U.S. needed to stand up to China and address the trade imbalance between the two countries.
Fast forward to 2020, and it appears that Trump’s hardline stance on China may be paying off. The Phase One trade deal signed in January 2020 between the U.S. and China included commitments from China to purchase an additional $200 billion in U.S. goods and services over the next two years, as well as commitments to address intellectual property theft and forced technology transfer.
While the coronavirus pandemic has put a strain on the relationship between the U.S. and China, with Trump blaming China for the spread of the virus and threatening to cut ties with the country, there is still potential for the two countries to come to a mutually beneficial agreement.
With the U.S. presidential election approaching in November, Trump’s tough stance on China could be a winning issue for him. Polls show that a majority of Americans have a negative view of China, and Trump’s willingness to take on China could resonate with voters who are concerned about the country’s growing influence.
In the end, only time will tell if Trump’s strategy towards China will be successful in the long run. But one thing is clear – Trump has changed the game with China, and now he has the opportunity to win it.