China secretly terrified of Trump victory

China’s official response to President-elect Trump’s victory was straightforward.

“Our policy towards the U.S. is consistent,” said Mao Ning, a foreign ministry spokesperson, in a statement on Wednesday. “We will continue to approach China-U.S. relations based on mutual respect, peaceful co-existence, and win-win cooperation.”

Professor Yuan Juzheng from National Taiwan University’s Department of Philosophy recently returned from China, where he observed that almost everyone he encountered was eager to discuss the U.S. election. Yuan described Trump’s win as a “worst-case scenario” for Beijing, with many experts and Chinese citizens online expecting that relations between the two countries may deteriorate further over the next four years.

During his campaign, Trump advocated for a tariff-focused approach to trade with China. Yuan explained that China had been unprepared when Trump imposed tariffs on major Chinese companies like Huawei around 2018. Now, however, Yuan believes China is aware of the potential economic impact of similar policies, especially as its own domestic economy faces challenges.

“Three key issues will likely dominate the U.S.-China relationship: trade, technology, and Taiwan,” said Zhiqun Zhu, a professor of political science and international relations at Bucknell University, in an interview with Fox News Digital just before Trump’s victory became official.

On Wednesday, Taiwan’s President William Lai congratulated Trump on X, expressing optimism that the U.S.-Taiwan partnership will remain a foundation for regional stability. Taiwanese Vice President Bi-khim Hsiao also extended her congratulations and voiced hope for a strong Taiwan-U.S. alliance built on shared values.

Opinions among Taiwanese citizens about the U.S. election have been divided. While some find Trump’s direct style unappealing, others view him as potentially more beneficial for Taiwan due to his hardline stance on China. This sentiment is echoed by some on the Chinese mainland.

Ross Darrell Feingold, a Taipei-based lawyer, has been active on TouTiao, a Chinese platform with over 150 million daily users. Before the U.S. election, he posed a question to Chinese users, asking whether they believed Trump or Harris would have a more negative impact on U.S.-China relations. After rewording it to meet China’s strict internet controls, the question received over 30,000 views and around 5,500 responses. Many responses indicated support for Harris, nicknamed “Ha Ha Sister” by Chinese netizens for her cheerful demeanor, but overall, there was a consensus that the U.S. is trying to limit China’s global rise, regardless of who leads.

Feingold observed that Chinese citizens increasingly view American policies as personal affronts rather than mere critiques of their government. He added that it’s often hard to discern whether online comments are genuine opinions or influenced by state media.

Zhu, the Bucknell professor, noted a significant shift in Chinese public perception of the U.S., with a growing number of Chinese people, including liberals, now viewing the U.S. less favorably and feeling that America is less welcoming to Chinese students, tourists, and businesspeople. Some U.S. states, such as Florida, have even curtailed cultural and educational exchanges with Beijing.

Japan, which also has a tense relationship with China, congratulated Trump on Wednesday, with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba expressing hope for strengthened alliances. South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol also praised Trump on X, emphasizing the importance of the ROK-U.S. alliance.

Meanwhile, although some speculated that North Korean leader Kim Jong Un might welcome Trump’s return, North Korea has remained silent. However, just hours before the election, the nation launched multiple short-range ballistic missiles toward its eastern coast.