American candidates toughen stance on China as elections near

Both Kamala Harris and Donald Trump have taken a tough stance toward Beijing. According to the Hong Kong newspaper South China Morning Post, the US's critical attitude may intensify as the elections approach.

"SCMP" notes that during the debate between former President Donald Trump and current Vice President Kamala Harris, both fought over who would take a tougher approach towards China.

Even though China wasn't a central focus of the conversation, Trump highlighted the $200 billion tariffs he implemented on numerous Chinese imports in 2018, asserting that these tariffs generated billions in revenue from China, according to the newspaper.

The Republican candidate also said in the debate that China "will pay a higher price" because of the tariffs he intends to impose on Chinese electric vehicles imported from Mexico.

Cited by "SCMP," expert Michael DiMino from the Washington think tank Defence Priorities assessed that "On China, Trump was very clear that he intends to remain tough on Beijing, especially regarding sanctions and trade."

Harris, who—as "SCMP" points out—has said little about tariffs on China since she became the Democratic candidate for president, criticized Trump in the debate for provoking "trade wars" and also stated that he "sold us out" by selling chips to China that helped them develop their military.

The Vice President also criticized Chinese leader Xi Jinping for a "lack of transparency about the origin of Covid-19."

Neil Thomas, a China specialist at the New York organization Asia Society, told "SCMP" that the tough stance of both candidates on China suggests that as the elections approach, "more opposition towards Beijing" can be expected.