How China Perceives Trump: Chinese Media’s Coverage and Analysis of Trump’s Impact on US-China Relations

It is fascinating to examine how Donald Trump’s presidency was perceived in China. The relationship between China and the United States, which has been tense recently, was significantly impacted by Trump’s presidency. During Trump’s presidency, the relationship was characterized by a number of challenges, including the trade war, technological limitations, and disagreements over the South China Sea.

During his administration, Trump received mostly unfavorable coverage in Chinese media, according to a research that was published in the Chinese Journal of International Politics. The analysis discovered that Trump was presented by Chinese media as a “narcissistic” and “ignorant” leader who endangered China’s national interests. According to the study’s authors, this depiction was created to promote anti-American feeling and support for the government’s actions in China. It is important to note that Trump wasn’t covered equally by Chinese media, though. Several publications, like the Global Times, praised Trump’s unusual style of politics and his emphasis on economic matters. On the other side, Trump’s policies received harsh criticism from various media sites, including the People’s Daily.

Despite these differences, the Chinese people had a generally poor opinion of Trump. Only 13% of Chinese participants in a Pew Research Center study from 2019 said they had faith in Trump’s capacity to make the correct decisions in regards to international affairs. As compared to the global median of 29%, this outcome was much lower.

China’s status in the world was significantly impacted by Trump’s administration as well. China was under more pressure from other nations, especially the European Union and Japan, as a result of the trade war and other conflicts. China has also been ready to fill the gap created by Trump’s “America First” approach and withdrawal from multilateral agreements like the Paris Climate Accord.

In result, the effects of Donald Trump’s administration on US-China ties and China’s opinion of the US are considerable. While the majority of the Chinese media’s coverage of Trump was unfavorable, a few publications praised his unusual approach to politics. However, the relationship between the two nations is strained as a result of Trump’s policies towards China and his influence on China’s standing in the world.

Chinese Perception of Donald Trump

Donald Trump’s image in China has been influenced by a number of things, including media coverage and the effects of Trump’s actions there. As was previously indicated, Trump received mostly unfavorable attention in Chinese media during his administration. Chinese people’s opinions of Trump and the US were negatively impacted by this representation.

China’s response to Trump’s trade policy is one illustration of this unfavorable opinion. Trump slapped tariffs on Chinese imports in 2018, which prompted China to retaliate by imposing tariffs on American goods. Both nations suffered economic losses as a result of the trade conflict between the two nations. Chinese media characterized Trump as a bully who was seeking to stop China’s emergence as a global power in reaction to the trade war.

Trump’s position on technology limits was another factor that impacted China’s opinion of him. Invoking worries about national security, the US administration put many Chinese tech firms, including Huawei, on a blacklist. Many Chinese citizens interpreted this action as an effort to undercut China’s scientific growth and its position as a world technological leader.

Trump was not universally seen favorably in China, despite the media there portraying him negatively. Chinese internet users praised Trump’s audacity and desire to take on the establishment. They also valued his emphasis on economic concerns and his initiatives to help Americans find work.

In conclusion, a range of elements, such as media coverage and Trump’s policy toward China, influenced China’s opinion of Donald Trump. Chinese people’s opinions of Trump and the United States were negatively impacted by the poor portrayal of him in the Chinese media. Nevertheless, a few Chinese citizens praised Trump’s unusual political strategy.

The Impact of Donald Trump’s Presidency on China-US Relations

Donald Trump’s administration has had enormous impacts on US-China relations. The trade war and tech restrictions that are part of Trump’s policy towards China have harmed bilateral ties. Trump’s initiatives are seen by China as an effort to slow down its emergence as a major world power.

The confrontation in the South China Sea is one illustration of this tense relationship. Tensions between the two nations increased as the Trump administration adopted a more confrontational attitude against China’s territorial claims in the area. As a result, China conducted military exercises and built military installations nearby in response to what it saw as an infringement of its sovereignty.

Relations between the US and China were additionally strained during Trump’s administration by the COVID-19 epidemic. Trump called the illness the “China virus” and attributed its spread to China. Many Chinese individuals considered this discourse to be racist and xenophobic.

Even though Trump’s policies have strained ties between the US and China, some Chinese voters thought Trump would be a better president of the US than Joe Biden in the 2020 election. Biden’s prior remarks on China alarmed several Chinese internet users, who thought he would be more tough-minded than Trump. Trump’s presidency had a tremendous influence on US-China relations. His actions against China, such as the trade conflict and technological limitations, harmed bilateral relations. The South China Sea war and the COVID-19 epidemic raised the apprehension even further. But other Chinese citizens voiced worry over Biden’s possible policy toward China.

Chinese Perception of Donald Trump and its Implications

The relationship between China and the US was significantly impacted by Donald Trump’s administration, which also changed how China views the US. Although Trump received a mainly unfavorable image in the Chinese media, some Chinese citizens showed appreciation for his unusual approach to politics.

The Trump administration’s trade war and tech curbs damaged bilateral relations and were seen by many Chinese as measures to slow China’s emergence as a major world power. Tension between the two nations was further exacerbated by the dispute over the South China Sea and the COVID-19 epidemic.

China’s opinion of Donald Trump has important repercussions. Trump’s unfavorable image in China might cause tension in US-China ties to persist. Trump’s actions against China, such as the trade conflict and tech restrictions, may also have long-term effects on the country’s economic growth.

As a result, it is crucial that China and the United States cooperate to strengthen their relationship and establish common ground. This may entail addressing the root causes of the trade war and figuring out ways to work together on matters of shared concern, including public health and climate change.

In conclusion, a range of elements, such as media coverage and Trump’s policy toward China, influenced China’s opinion of Donald Trump. While some Chinese internet users admired his unusual approach to politics, the two nations’ ties suffered as a result of his policies towards China. In the future, it will be crucial for the US and China to improve their relationship and find ways to collaborate on areas of shared interest.

Nailul Fathul Wafiq
Nailul Fathul Wafiq
Nailul Fathul Wafiq is an undergraduate student of international relations at the Islamic University of Indonesia, taking an interest in international economic studies, trade and investment, international media communication, and analysis of the impact of government policy on public society. He also focuses on the dynamics and development of some regions, especially in Southeast Asia and Pacific Asia.