Objectively speaking, this setback for Trump is unfavorable for us. Since Trump's return to power, the most significant shift in the United States has been the growing prominence of its isolationist and hegemonic tendencies. The resulting negative consequences include a substantial erosion of America’s global image and mounting strain on its alliance systems—spanning transatlantic relations between the U.S. and Europe, U.S.-Japan-South Korea trilateral ties, the AUKUS arrangement among the U.S., Australia, and the UK, as well as the Quad framework involving the U.S., Japan, India, and Australia.
In the context of Sino-American strategic competition, the damage to America’s international reputation and the weakening of its alliance structures present long-term advantages for China. However, with the Republican Party’s poor performance in the midterm elections, the likelihood of a resurgence of the "Biden approach" has significantly increased. Should this occur, U.S. foreign policy could revert to a multilateral model centered on coordination with allies, intensifying containment efforts against China. On the fundamental level of U.S. strategy toward China, both parties exhibit no essential divergence; they broadly share the view of China as a long-term strategic competitor.
The core U.S. policies restricting technological exchanges and curbing industrial development will not be reversed, though the methods employed may vary. Current approaches are characterized by unilateralism and heavy-handed tactics, often alienating allies through aggressive actions. In contrast, the "Biden approach" appears more nuanced, capable of mobilizing allied consensus and creating cohesive pressure. If this model regains traction, expectations point to strengthened ties among the U.S., Europe, India, Canada, and the U.S.-Japan-South Korea bloc.
Conversely, relations between China and Europe, Canada, India, Japan, and South Korea may face disruptions that are detrimental to China’s interests. Clearly, this election transcends domestic American politics—it carries implications for the global geopolitical landscape. From China’s perspective, while external dynamics in Sino-American competition matter, the critical factor remains focusing on internal development. After all, the U.S.’s most pressing challenges may not stem from China, but from within: issues such as manufacturing relocation, widening income inequality, and rising national debt will not automatically resolve with the Democratic Party’s return to power.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1880911227024396/
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.