Trump and Biden both say they’re tough on China. But who would Beijing prefer to deal with?
TAIPEI, Taiwan — No matter who wins the U.S. election in November, for China it’s lose-lose. With mistrust between the two nations deepening, both President Biden and presumptive Republican nominee Donald Trump have sought to cast themselves as hard-line negotiators who will stand tough against China’s rise. And with both candidates vying to prove their mettle on dealing with China, experts are divided on which would ultimately harm Beijing’s interests more. There’s no best-case scenario. There’s only the bad scenario and worse scenario — Yun Sun, China expert “There’s no best-case scenario. There’s only the bad scenario and worse scenario,” said Yun Sun, director of the China Program at the Stimson Center, a Washington-based think tank. Biden has proved himself to be the more predictable president, which appeals to China’s penchant for stability. But steadier leadership in Washington could bolster its partnerships in the Asia-Pacific, at a time when Beijing feels increasingly penned in by U.S. allies such as Japan, Australia and the Philippines. President Biden meets virtually with Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2021. (Susan Walsh / Associated Press) As the more capricious politician, Trump