NYT pointed to China's ability to strengthen its influence on the world stage under Trump

China may strengthen its global position under US President Donald Trump thanks to his administration's spats with foreign allies and partners. The New York Times (NYT), a US newspaper, reported on February 3, citing sources.

"If Trump's second term marks the sunset of Pax Americana (The period of stability in Western countries after the end of World War II. - Ed.), analysts say China will almost certainly seize the opportunity to try to reshape the world in its favor," the publication said.

Thus, Trump's foreign policy may not only pose a danger to China, but also create prospects. For example, at a time when the US president was "waging a war of words" with Colombia over the military deportation of migrants, the Chinese ambassador to the island said that relations between Beijing and Bogota were at their best stage in decades.

In addition, the newspaper claims that China has long attempted to "drive a wedge" between the United States and its allies, particularly the European Union (EU), Japan and Australia.

"The Chinese are well aware of the damage Trump has done and continues to do to US global credibility and influence. In fact, it is happening even faster than Beijing expected," Evan Medeiros, a professor of Asian studies at Georgetown University who was also an adviser to former US President Barack Obama, told the NYT.

According to the newspaper, Trump's trade policies have created a chasm between the US and its partners Canada and Mexico. And the head of state's decisions to suspend funding for foreign aid programs and the withdrawal of the States from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Paris climate accords have also played into the hands of the PRC. The publication said that the above-mentioned actions of Trump have led the country to weaken global credibility.

Dragon's answer: China prepared for a new trade war with the US

Beijing intends to fight back hard against Donald Trump's administration

Earlier in the day, European diplomacy chief Kaja Kallas said the EU was preparing for a possible trade war with the US. According to her, in the case of a trade war between the United States and the European Union , "the only one who will laugh" will be China.

On the eve it was reported that the US President signed an executive order on February 1 to impose trade tariffs on goods from Canada, China and Mexico. According to Trump, this measure was taken in connection with the inability of these countries to stop the transportation of narcotic substances on American territory.

At the same time, German Vice Chancellor Olaf Scholz and the state's economy minister from the Green Party Robert Habeck announced the EU's readiness to impose retaliatory duties against America.

Chinese economist Andrew Leung, in turn, told Izvestia that the tariffs imposed by Trump on imports of goods from China and Mexico would lead to an increase in consumer prices in the United States itself.