Could a midterm defeat tame Trump? Not on foreign policy, Chinese experts say

Chinese experts warn that a potential lame-duck phase after the US midterm elections may not deter President Donald Trump from pursuing more risky foreign policy moves. The US election could see Democrats flipping the House of Representatives, though the exact net seat gain remains uncertain. Observers in China believe that a divided government could expose Trump to increased investigative oversight and raise the odds of impeachment by House Democrats, which would lead to legislative, personnel and budget gridlock for his administration.

Trump, despite losing control of Congress, is expected to continue his approach of bypassing Congress through executive orders, potentially leading to more legal disputes. His ability to influence policy decisions will remain substantial, with possible impacts on US relations with Russia, Iran, Europe and China. While Trump himself enters the latter stages of his presidency, younger Republicans are continuing to champion the movement's political line.

A Democratic takeover of the House may not guarantee a dominant agenda, as the party's rising democratic socialist wing may push for divergent policies. Even if Democrats secure both chambers, they may still find it challenging to enact their policies due to a narrow Senate majority.