What the US midterms mean for ties with China

The sweeping Democratic victory in the US midterms, securing control of both chambers of Congress, presents both an opportunity and a challenge for China, according to analysts. This outcome could potentially limit President Donald Trump's liberal use of tariffs on Chinese goods during his final two years in office, which might be a setback for Trump, who has frequently used tariffs throughout a trade war with China before a truce was reached.

However, Democrats must weigh their actions against the popularity of Trump's tariffs among US businesses and small business owners, who traditionally support the Democrats.

The issue of Taiwan, a US-backed democratic island claimed by Beijing, could potentially be a game-changer in US-China relations. Washington has historically been Taipei's most important security backer and has sold billions of dollars worth of arms to Taiwan. However, Trump has questioned the US stance on arms sales to Taiwan, even during talks with China.

A Democrat-controlled Congress might force Trump to resume arms sales to Taiwan, potentially undermining the stability of US-China relations. Nevertheless, the Chinese government may use the remaining two years of Trump's presidency to pressure Taiwan, especially if they believe Washington is distracted or willing to agree to terms.