If you have read the news recently, there have been tons and tons of articles criticizing Donald Trump’s opinions on the United States' trade relationship with China. Donald Trump reportedly received a call from Taiwan’s president, who congratulated him on winning the position of President-elect of the United States. Now, this is something that seems like an innocent call to take, but it is actually a big political move.
The United States has a One China policy, which calls for the United States to respect China’s stance on Taiwan—since Taiwan is seen as a breakaway province to the Chinese. When China became a communist country, those within China who did not support the communist leadership went to Taiwan and created the Taiwan that we know today. However, because of the One China policy, the United States has tiptoed around this political relationship between China and Taiwan by agreeing to respect the Chinese stance against Taiwan while still being able trade goods and services with these countries (but mostly goods and services are sent to the United States from China rather than Taiwan).
However, with the new President-elect’s actions, the Chinese have taken this as a blow to them and their economy. The United States has always had a good trade relationship with China, which is the reason why the majority of our products are “Made In China." But, with Trump’s actions, our trade relationship between China seems to be in question. Trump has reportedly supported the idea of a trade relationship free from trade with China and this brings questions to how our economy may change.
As Donald Trump enters into the Presidency, many are still upset and afraid for the coming changes to the future of the United States. And China’s influence on trade and the action of not depending on them as much in the United States for goods and services is a cautious action. China has the deepest ties within the economic world because of trade and not involving them with trade in the United States may either hurt us as a country or help another third world country in return.
China was able to advance economically because of trade and development. We have enabled them to do so by depending on them for creating our products and they have taken advantage of this opportunity. China is now one of the biggest exporters in the world and being free of trade with them may influence our economy badly. All we can do is be hopeful that Trump makes decisions and brings a new mindset to help the United States economy continue booming rather than hinder our advancement.