File Photo: Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump appears alongside U.S. Senator Marco Rubio at a campaign rally held at the J.S. Dorton Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina, on November 4, 2024. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
[People News] President-elect Donald Trump is set to take office in just over a month. For the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Trump’s announcements of White House and cabinet appointments represent a "gathering of hawks," with many appointees holding tough stances on China-related issues. Trump has previously proposed tariffs on some Chinese goods that could go as high as 60%.
Reports indicate that Chinese officials have been scrambling between Washington, D.C., and New York, seeking connections to Trump. According to The Financial Times, former White House Asia advisor Evan Medeiros met with Xie Feng, China’s ambassador to the U.S., before the election. Medeiros revealed that Trump’s victory left Beijing "caught off guard. In recent months, Xie Feng has hosted dozens of former U.S. officials and China experts at his residence, ramping up Beijing's outreach efforts. The central question Beijing is eager to answer is: "What does Trump want?" However, Chinese officials have reportedly been unsuccessful in securing meetings with potential members of the Trump administration.
How Will the CCP Handle Trump's Next Four Years? Foreign media reports suggest that Chinese officials are deeply concerned as Beijing proactively prepares to face the threat of Trump’s upgraded tariffs.
The CCP leader recently returned to Beijing after a trip to South America. His diplomatic efforts during this visit, including support for "Global South" initiatives and financial aid pledges, have been interpreted as a preemptive move to prepare for a potential trade war with the U.S. under Trump’s administration. This included a meeting with Joe Biden in Lima, where Beijing proposed seven takeaways on U.S.-China relations, emphasized four red lines, and expressed a desire to maintain communication with the new U.S. government, expand cooperation, manage differences, and ensure a smooth transition in U.S.-China relations—seemingly addressing Trump indirectly. During the G20 summit, Beijing pledged a staggering 1.14 trillion yuan in support for the "Global South" through eight initiatives and sought to strengthen ties with countries like Japan, the UK, and Australia, showcasing an aggressive diplomatic campaign.
Experts note that these diplomatic efforts are not only aimed at anticipating and countering potential U.S. trade policies but also reflect Beijing’s strategic attempt to assert greater leadership in global affairs and solidify its role in defending globalization. Simultaneously, the CCP has introduced a series of domestic policies aimed at stabilizing foreign trade growth.
The Chinese Ministry of Commerce released a set of policies yesterday titled Several Policy Measures to Promote Stable Growth in Foreign Trade. The plan includes nine specific measures, such as expanding export credit insurance coverage and increasing financial support for foreign trade enterprises, aimed at optimizing the trade environment, supporting businesses, and fostering new growth areas.
Despite these economic stimulus measures, concerns about China’s economic recovery persist, as evidenced by the sell-off in stocks of mainland and Hong Kong companies. Notably, shares of several firms, including Dutch semiconductor equipment manufacturer ASML, have recently experienced significant declines, reflecting broader market skepticism about China's economic outlook.
Analysts argue that China’s political and business environment for foreign investment is far from ideal. Factors such as the Ministry of State Security's recent crackdowns on so-called "spies" under Minister Chen Yixin, combined with the collapse of the housing market and economic decline, highlight structural and systemic issues, many of which are man-made. Stimulus policies alone cannot replace the principles of market dynamics and business logic.
Trade expert William Reinsch from the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a former Clinton administration trade official, and China specialist Timothy Heath from the RAND Corporation both observed that the CCP's efforts to combine diplomatic and domestic measures are falling short. Despite heavily supporting the "Global South" and attempting to dominate its markets, these nations are too poor to absorb China’s massive export capacity. China remains dependent on access to U.S. and Western markets, but these markets cannot effectively take in China’s surplus output either.
Analysts note that instead of addressing these issues by adhering to international trade rules and integrating with Western commercial and cultural norms, the CCP continues to seek alternative export destinations in the Global South or potential connections with Trump’s team to predict his next moves. This approach is fundamentally flawed. Economic problems are not isolated but are influenced by political, cultural, and ideological factors. Even if the CCP establishes itself as a leader in the Global South by offering financial aid, its diplomatic efforts face significant challenges, particularly due to territorial disputes in the South China Sea and dissatisfaction in the West over China’s authoritarian regime, global infiltration, and interference with national sovereignty.
Chong Ja Ian, an associate professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, remarked that Xi Jinping’s recent diplomatic push to rally "Global South" countries against the U.S. faces significant hurdles. "These countries have their own considerations and are subject to different pressures from the U.S.," Chong noted, especially if Trump’s tariff policies are implemented. "Whether these nations can coordinate with China (CCP) to counter the U.S. remains a major question." He also pointed out that the "Belt and Road" initiative is under scrutiny in some regions, complicating Xi's diplomatic efforts. "While certain projects appear to be successful in Thailand and Indonesia, the outcomes in Malaysia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are far more questionable."
Yew Yao Yuan, a professor of international studies at the University of St. Thomas, stated: "China, in both military and economic terms, is a direct challenger to the U.S. The CCP’s assumption that it can gradually engage with Trump’s officials to find a way out is fundamentally flawed. Competing with China economically and strategically is now a core U.S. national interest. It’s as simple as that."
News magazine bootstrap themes!
I like this themes, fast loading and look profesional
Thank you Carlos!
You're welcome!
Please support me with give positive rating!
Yes Sure!