Biden or Trump? Which candidate would China prefer?

2024-03-16 17:02:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

As the election campaign in the United States intensifies, both President Joe Biden and his potential rival, Donald Trump, promise to take a tough stance on China. But what do they think in China about the American elections? Voice of America correspondent Bill Gallo asked Beijing residents what their impressions of the two candidates are.

The US-China relationship has been described as the most important in the world. She is often tense.

As the US elections approach, tensions may rise. To find out how the Chinese see these relationships, VOA went to Beijing. It is the first time a VOA reporter has been allowed to go to China in four years, due to the pandemic and tensions between the two countries. But what do Beijingers think of candidates Biden and Trump?

"When I think about my country, whichever is chosen, it will not be good for us," said Sun, a resident of Beijing.

"From the position of a simple Chinese student, I prefer Trump. Although he often exaggerates, at least he is doing it for the good of his country," says Alani.

Mr Trump's policy on China has been unpredictable - oscillating between harsh attacks and sensational personal diplomacy.

"There used to be a lot of tension between the United States and China. Now it's a warm relationship," said Mr. Trump in October 2019.

In China, the perception of former President Trump is that by damaging the global image of the US, he is actually helping China.

"It's interesting — a lot of the things he does actually align with China's interests," Tao says.

"He is very direct. And sometimes it acts in such a way that it seems to help China," says Huang.

Mr. Trump imposed high tariffs that hit China's economy. But it also strained relations with many US allies. He withdrew from or targeted many organizations at the center of the US-led global order. While Mr. Biden has strengthened the alliances of the United States, especially in Asia - unnerving Beijing.

"He has a more traditional approach. It emphasizes alliances and promotes ideological values. For example, he held a summit on the values ??of democracy against autocracy," Wang Huiyao, president of the Center for China and Globalization, tells VOA.

Despite the friction, ties have stabilized under President Biden - a development welcomed by many in China.

"We don't want to see a deterioration of ties like we had before. Because if that happens, it could be very dangerous not only for the US and China, but for the whole world."

With the US elections approaching, there is a lot of uncertainty about this relationship./ VOA