The “Trump phenomenon” in the eyes of Chinese experts: promises and challenges of a transactional presidency

Abstract

After the unexpected victory of Donald Trump in the 2016 presidential election, East Asia faces a period of hightened uncertainty over future US policy in the region. For China, this presents a particular set of challenges given Trump’s past rhetoric, but also some opportunities to move closer to its desired model for the bilateral relationship. This article analyzes the discourse of Chinese foreign policy experts about Trump’s candidacy and early presidency, sketching their evolving perceptions and policy prescriptions.