Xi Jinping was quick with his congratulations, urging Donald Trump to ‘forge the right path for China and the United States to get along in the new era’.
After the previous election in 2020, the Chinese president was one of the last world leaders to message Joe Biden on his victory. His speed this time is perhaps testament to the fragility of the Chinese economy and an awareness in Beijing of the potential consequences of further sanctions. UBS has calculated that Trump’s threatened 60 per cent tariffs on all Chinese exports to the United States would more than halve China’s already faltering growth rate.
Beijing was careful to appear neutral during the presidential campaign – and not to show any signs of nerves. Semi-official commentary tended to stress that the outcome would make little difference, such is the bipartisan hawkishness on China in Washington, or else to portray the election as a farce.
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