Opinion | What’s driving the US’ China policy? Even Trump might not be quite sure

A hundred days into US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, his China policy remains a chaotic mix of rhetoric, reaction and risky escalation. Despite calling Chinese President Xi Jinping a “good friend” and claiming openness to direct talks, Trump’s actions paint a far more confrontational picture.

The US president has increased tariffs on some Chinese imports to a staggering 245 per cent, reigniting a trade war with real economic consequences. He has accused China of trying to “screw” the US, framing the bilateral relationship as a zero-sum contest.

Meanwhile, US Vice-President J.D. Vance’s recent comment referring to the Chinese people as “peasants” has sparked outrage and raised questions about the administration’s judgment.

Diplomatically, the US is flying half-blind. The US Senate has yet to confirm an ambassador to Beijing. Despite claims that talks are under way, Trump has not appointed a lead negotiator for China. Trust remains low on both sides. Without a clear mandate from the two presidents, any discussion would lack direction and coherence.

Meanwhile, the White House has ousted several US National Security Council members, including David Feith, a veteran China expert who helped shape policies on the Indo-Pacific, tech controls and TikTok. The dismissals signal a shift towards political loyalty over policy expertise, which may reduce the administration’s capacity to navigate a complex relationship effectively.