The world was left reeling on Tuesday when Donald Trump emerged victorious over Kamala Harris in the presidential election—a win few saw coming. For months, Democrats and mainstream media pushed the storyline that Harris had this election wrapped up, while Trump’s chances were supposedly laughable. But, as it turns out, they underestimated him.
Globally, many bought into the narrative that Trump’s time on the big stage was over. The left didn’t just lose; they got steamrolled, as Trump surged back into office with a force that just couldn’t be stopped.
On the international front, China—one of America’s most formidable adversaries—is trying to keep a brave face. Xi Jinping issued a formal, flat response, claiming China’s approach to the U.S. would remain based on “mutual respect” and “win-win cooperation.” But despite that diplomatic calm, it’s pretty clear there’s a storm brewing behind closed doors in Beijing.
Take it from Professor Yuan Juzheng of National Taiwan University, who observed a definite unease during his recent trip to China. His contacts in Beijing aren’t shy about calling Trump’s victory a “worst-case scenario” for China, with experts and citizens alike dreading what the next four years could mean for U.S.-China relations. Trump’s stance on trade tariffs—particularly on tech giants like Huawei—shook China to its core back in 2018, and now they know full well what a second round might bring. China’s domestic economy is already wobbly; Trump’s hardline trade policies could tip it over the edge.
As Professor Zhiqun Zhu from Bucknell University points out, the three big T’s—trade, technology, and Taiwan—will likely stay at the forefront of the U.S.-China relationship. And with Trump back at the helm, China’s strategists are probably dusting off their contingency plans and holding on tight.
But China’s not the only one sweating. America’s adversaries around the globe are looking at this Trump victory and bracing for a long, hard four years. Under the Biden-Harris administration, the U.S. economy took a nosedive, inflation ballooned, and the southern border turned into an open door. Foreign policy missteps piled up, and America’s enemies knew they had an edge.
Now, Trump is back, and the message couldn’t be clearer: America isn’t in a mood to be messed with. For those betting on America’s decline, it might be time to rethink their odds. With Trump back in power, the next four years could be a wild ride—for China and everyone else thinking they had the upper hand.
