China’s President Xi Jinping congratulated Donald Trump on his U.S. presidential victory, urging both nations to find a “right way to get along,” with the threat of renewed U.S. tariffs hinting at a potential return to trade tensions. Xi emphasized the value of stable, sustainable China-U.S. relations for both nations, noting the global expectation for mutual respect and peaceful coexistence. He also encouraged greater dialogue to manage differences effectively.
Relations between the two countries reached a low point over disagreements on trade, security, Taiwan, and the South China Sea. They had only recently started to improve after a lengthy meeting between Xi and President Joe Biden in California in November 2023. Trump’s win may revive contentious issues from his previous term, during which he initiated a trade war with China in 2018, though an agreement was reached shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic in January 2020.
The Republican candidate secured the White House after a decisive victory over Democrat Kamala Harris and will assume office in January. Echoing Xi’s call for stability, China’s commerce ministry expressed willingness to foster healthy economic and trade relations, stressing a cooperative approach without suggesting immediate retaliation over tariffs.
Xi’s congratulatory message to Trump was more restrained compared to 2016 when he initially welcomed Trump’s presidency as a chance for progress in China-U.S. relations, highlighting mutual responsibility in ensuring global stability and prosperity.
In an editorial, China Daily described Trump’s return as a potential “new beginning” in bilateral relations, provided the opportunity is fully utilized. The editorial noted that U.S. misconceptions about China had often complicated relations and stressed the need for a practical approach to address global challenges.
Under the Biden administration, U.S. trade policies largely continued from Trump’s first term, with tariffs in place on various Chinese imports, including substantial duties on electric vehicles, solar cells, and essential minerals to support American industries. Trump’s new tariff proposals of 60% on Chinese goods, however, present a considerable risk for China’s economy as it struggles with a property crisis, local government debt, and sluggish demand.
