According to Wu, U.S.-China relations may be more stable, but still challenged under a Harris presidency compared to the Trump and Biden years. Harris has not been to China but has visited Asian countries as vice president. She has shown commitment to defending allies and condemning China’s human rights abuses in Xinjiang and Hong Kong.
As president, Harris will prioritize winning the competition for the 21st century against China. It is unclear who will advise on China policy in a Harris administration, while Trump might rely on previous advisors like Robert O’Brien and Mike Pompeo. Trump’s China policies have attracted supporters on China’s heavily censored social media, with some praising his authoritarian tendencies.
It is a mistake to view U.S.-China relations as a zero-sum game, as what is bad for one country may not be good for the other. Tim Walz, Harris’ running mate, has the most experience with China, having taught English there and taking students to China. He has been critical of China’s human rights record and believes he understands China better than Trump.
Walz’s perspective contrasts with Trump’s former national security adviser, H.R. McMaster, who criticized Trump for falling into Xi’s traps during meetings with him. Despite challenges in U.S.-China relations, it is important to approach the relationship with nuance and understanding rather than a zero-sum mindset.
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