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Trump is planning a series of confrontations with China in the final weeks of his presidency

Adam Payne   

Trump is planning a series of confrontations with China in the final weeks of his presidency
Politics2 min read
  • Trump is preparing more sanctions and aggressive moves against China in the final weeks of his administration, according to multiple reports.
  • Officials are looking at a menu of possible actions including sanctions against individuals and institutions deemed as causing harm to Hong Kong and Xinjiang, and blocking US investment in Chinese companies.
  • The Trump administration believes the new moves will leave the incoming Biden administration boxed-in.
  • Washington's relationship with Beijing has deteriorated over a range of issues, including the US-China trade war and China's actions in Hong Kong.

Outgoing President Trump is planning increased sanctions and other measures against China before he leaves the White House, according to multiple reports.

Trump is considering a number of moves against The Communist Party of China, Bloomberg reported, including further sanctions against party officials and institutions involved in China's oppression of Hong Kong and Xinjiang, combating illegal fishing, and shielding US tech companies from Chinese exploitation.

The moves, expected in the next few weeks, are designed at least partly to leave President-elect Joe Biden with little room to manoeuvre in regards to Washington's relationship with Beijing, according to Bloomberg.

CNN reported that the Trump administration believes it will box in the incoming Biden administration when it comes to dealing with Beijing, citing government officials.

The US-China relationship has deteriorated over the course of Trump's presidency over issues including trade, China's actions in Hong Kong, and the outbreak of the coronavirus which Trump has blamed on Beijing and dubbed "the China virus."

An Axios report suggests that the Trump administration is also considering expanding a Defense Department list of Chinese companies that are blocked from US investment due to their links to the Chinese military. Officials are also looking at taking further action against Beijing's use of forced labour in the fishing industry, the report said.

John Ullyot, National Security Council spokesperson, told both publications: "Unless Beijing reverses course and becomes a responsible player on the global stage, future US presidents will find it politically suicidal to reverse President Trump's historic actions."

Trump's team could fill senior government positions with people who have more hawkish views on Beijing, according to Axios. Trump has already replaced several Pentagon officials with loyalists since losing the election to Biden.

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