As a candidate, Trump took a critical tone on China. Speaking about America’s trade deficit with the country at a May 2016 rally in Indiana, the New York billionaire declared, “We can’t continue to allow China to rape our country.” Throughout the election season, he promised to outmaneuver Beijing if elected. “You can win against China if you're smart,” he told a South Carolina audience in July 2015.
Upon
taking office, however, Trump appeared to prefer collaboration over
confrontation with Beijing. After meeting with the Chinese president at
Mar-a-Lago in early April, Trump expressed
optimism about finding common on North Korea and trade. Beyond positive
words, the president backed away from some of his tougher campaign
proposals in order to cultivate China. He decided against labeling the People’s Republic a currency manipulator, citing the need to gain its support on North Korea.
