Biden vs Trump: Who’s Tougher on China?

Biden vs Trump: Who’s Tougher on China? in recent years, the United States’ relationship with China has been one of the most pivotal and hotly debated topics in global politics. With both Joe Biden and Donald Trump having a distinct approach to handling China, it’s no surprise that the question of who is tougher on Beijing has captured the attention of political analysts, foreign policy experts, and the general public. The rivalry between the two nations touches on a range of issues from trade and tariffs to human rights, cybersecurity, and military presence in the Asia-Pacific region.

This article will explore the differences between Biden Trump China relations, focusing on how each leader has navigated the complex and often contentious relationship with China. By analyzing their policies, rhetoric, and actions, we can get a clearer picture of who has been tougher on China—and what that means for the future of U.S.-China relations.

Setting the Stage: The U.S.-China Rivalry

The U.S.-China relationship is one of the most critical global dynamics in the 21st century. As China has rapidly risen to become an economic superpower, the United States has found itself grappling with how to maintain its leadership role on the global stage while managing a competitive relationship with the world’s most populous nation. For years, the U.S. has sought to balance engagement with China, hoping to promote economic cooperation while also addressing issues like intellectual property theft, trade imbalances, and human rights abuses.

On the other hand, Biden, a seasoned diplomat, has taken a more traditional approach, aiming to restore multilateral alliances while still taking a firm stance on issues like trade and human rights. Biden’s administration has signaled that it intends to challenge China on areas where it deviates from international norms, but the approach is more focused on coalition-building than Trump’s more unilateral actions.

The Trade War: Trump’s Aggressive Tactics vs. Biden’s Diplomacy

Perhaps the most defining issue in the Biden Trump China relations is the trade war initiated by Trump in 2018. Trump accused China of unfair trade practices, including currency manipulation, forced technology transfers, and intellectual property theft. In response, Trump imposed tariffs on billions of dollars worth of Chinese goods, which marked a sharp departure from previous U.S. policy.

Trump’s Aggressive Trade War

Trump’s strategy was one of economic pressure, seeking to bring China to the negotiating table through tariffs and other trade barriers. His administration’s goal was to reduce the U.S. trade deficit with China, protect American industries from what he viewed as unfair competition, and push China to reform its trade practices. Trump’s use of tariffs was aimed at forcing China to make significant concessions, and while some of his tactics were criticized as economically harmful to American consumers, they were seen as an aggressive stance that sent a strong message to China.

Trump’s relationship with China was also marked by his rhetoric, which often included direct confrontations and accusations of China’s role in global economic imbalances. His “trade war” approach highlighted the economic rivalry between the two nations and established a narrative of China as an economic adversary.

Biden’s Trade Approach: Multilateralism Over Unilateralism

Upon taking office, Biden inherited a trade situation that had grown increasingly complex due to Trump’s tariffs. Biden’s approach has been more tempered, focusing on working with allies to address China’s trade practices through international cooperation. Rather than relying on unilateral tariffs, Biden has sought to bring China to the negotiating table with the help of partners like the European Union, Japan, and South Korea.

Biden has maintained some of the tariffs that Trump imposed but has also signaled a willingness to negotiate and seek diplomatic solutions. One of Biden’s first moves was to work with the G7 countries to coordinate a united front on trade issues with China, hoping to use the collective power of allied nations to pressure China into compliance on trade and intellectual property issues.

Biden has also emphasized the need for China to abide by international trade norms and has continued to address issues like forced labor, market access, and the protection of intellectual property rights. However, Biden’s tactics have been more focused on engagement and dialogue, as opposed to the combative approach that defined Trump’s strategy.

Military Tensions: A Showdown in the South China Sea and Taiwan

Beyond trade, another significant area where Biden Trump China relations diverge is in the realm of military policy. The U.S. has long been concerned about China’s growing military presence in the South China Sea, its increasing power projection, and its stance on Taiwan. While both Trump and Biden have taken a strong stance on these issues, their methods differ significantly.

Trump’s Military Posture: Confrontation and Isolation

During his presidency, Trump’s rhetoric on China was often aggressive, and his administration took a confrontational stance toward Beijing’s growing military ambitions. Trump’s most notable move was to escalate military presence in the South China Sea, where China has been building artificial islands and asserting territorial claims that have drawn international condemnation.

Trump also strengthened military ties with Taiwan, which China views as a breakaway province. His administration approved arms sales to Taiwan and made frequent gestures of support for its sovereignty, much to the dismay of Beijing. This strategy was seen as a direct challenge to China’s ambitions in the region and reflected Trump’s broader policy of challenging China’s influence globally.

Biden’s Approach: Strategic Patience and Multilateral Alliances

Biden’s approach to China’s military expansion has been characterized by strategic patience and a commitment to strengthening alliances. While Biden has maintained a strong U.S. military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, his focus has been on ensuring that China does not overstep internationally recognized boundaries, particularly in the South China Sea.

Biden has also sought to reaffirm U.S. support for Taiwan but has done so in a way that emphasizes diplomacy and multilateral cooperation. His administration has continued arms sales to Taiwan but has been careful not to provoke Beijing too directly. Biden has also worked to strengthen relationships with countries like Japan, South Korea, and Australia, forming a united front against Chinese military expansion.

Biden’s strategy has been to engage with China where necessary, while also coordinating with allies to contain Chinese influence. This approach reflects Biden’s broader philosophy of multilateralism, in contrast to Trump’s more confrontational stance.

Human Rights and Cybersecurity: Confronting China’s Internal Practices

Human rights abuses and cybersecurity concerns have been significant areas of tension in Biden Trump China relations. China’s human rights record, particularly its treatment of Uyghur Muslims in Xinjiang, its crackdown on pro-democracy activists in Hong Kong, and its repression of ethnic minorities, has drawn condemnation from both the Trump and Biden administrations.

Trump’s Approach: Sanctions and Rhetoric

Trump’s approach to China’s human rights abuses was often aggressive in its rhetoric but less consistent in terms of policy. While he imposed sanctions on Chinese officials involved in the repression of Uyghur Muslims and Hong Kong activists, Trump also sought to maintain a working relationship with Beijing on other fronts, such as trade and North Korea. His administration’s inconsistent approach to human rights was criticized for failing to take a firm stance in confronting China’s actions.

Cybersecurity was another area where Trump sought to confront China, particularly in relation to Chinese tech giant Huawei. The Trump administration implemented sanctions against Huawei, accusing the company of being a national security threat due to its alleged ties to the Chinese government. This move was part of Trump’s broader effort to limit China’s technological advancement and reduce its influence in global tech infrastructure.

Biden’s Approach: Human Rights Advocacy and Coordinated Action

Biden’s stance on China’s human rights abuses has been more focused on coalition-building. His administration has imposed sanctions on Chinese officials involved in the repression of Uyghur Muslims and has taken a strong stand against China’s treatment of Hong Kong’s pro-democracy activists. Biden has also worked with allies to condemn China’s actions in international forums, including the United Nations.

On cybersecurity, Biden has continued many of the same policies as Trump, including efforts to curb China’s influence in global tech infrastructure. However, Biden has sought to work more closely with allies to address cybersecurity threats posed by China, emphasizing collective action to counter Chinese espionage and cyberattacks.

Who Is Tougher on China?

In the end, the question of who is tougher on China—Biden or Trump—depends largely on what one values in foreign policy. Trump’s approach was undoubtedly more aggressive, characterized by a willingness to confront China head-on through tariffs, military posturing, and a unilateral approach to trade and security issues. His administration’s “America First” strategy often put him at odds with China, and he didn’t hesitate to take bold actions, such as arms sales to Taiwan and the trade war.

Biden, on the other hand, has taken a more diplomatic approach, emphasizing multilateralism, coalition-building, and a measured response to China’s rise. While Biden has been firm on issues like human rights and cyber security, he has avoided the more confrontational tactics that defined Trump’s presidency, opting instead for diplomatic engagement and working with global allies to address shared concerns.

Both approaches reflect different philosophies on how the U.S. should navigate its relationship with China. While Trump’s tactics were marked by confrontation and unilateral action, Biden’s strategy seeks to balance firmness with cooperation. As the U.S.-China rivalry continues to evolve, the methods of each leader will undoubtedly shape the future trajectory of this critical relationship.