Democrats take back Congress! If Trump wants to discuss cooperation with Xi Jinping, he may encounter this difficulty first

U.S. President Trump (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping review the procession of honor on the balcony of the White House on September 24. With the Democratic Party regaining control of both houses of Congress after the midterm elections, the Trump administration will face greater pressure for congressional oversight in promoting its China policy and negotiating with Beijing in the future. (Reuters)

The results of the U.S. midterm elections have been announced, and the Democratic Party has regained control of both houses of Congress. The Trump administration may face greater pressure for congressional oversight in future negotiations with Chinese President Xi Jinping. The Trump administration hopes to maintain space for economic and trade negotiations with Beijing, but the new Congress under the control of the Democratic Party may require the White House to clarify its China policy and negotiating position through technology export controls, supply chain reviews, and budget oversight. This will force Trump to face congressional checks and balances while seeking U.S.-China cooperation.

The "Associated Press" report pointed out that after the Democratic Party returns to the majority in Congress, the legislative branch's oversight of executive branch policies is expected to increase. The Democratic-controlled Congress will have the power to review the Trump administration's policy implementation through committee hearings, investigative powers and budget reviews; the Senate can also use personnel consent powers to review the appointment of government officials.

"Reuters" analyzed that the Republican Party's defeat in the midterm elections may give some trading partners more confidence to resist Trump's unilateral tariff policy. The report also pointed out that Trump may not necessarily make more concessions to trading partners due to his electoral defeat, and some countries must still be wary of him taking tougher trade measures in the later part of his term. For Beijing, U.S.-China economic and trade negotiations still have to face the uncertainty of Trump’s tariff policy.

Hong Kong's South China Morning Post quoted Zhao Minghao, a professor at Fudan University's Institute of International Studies, as saying that after the Democratic Party takes control of Congress, it may increase pressure on Beijing on Taiwan, artificial intelligence and export control issues. These issues may also become domestic political factors that the White House must face when the United States and China negotiate.

Congressional oversight increases, White House still maintains diplomatic dominance

Analysis by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) points out that the US president still holds important foreign policy decision-making and execution powers, but Congress can influence policy trends through legislation, budgetary appropriations and supervision mechanisms. After the Democrats control both houses, they will be able to use committee hearings, document review and subpoena powers to increase the congressional supervision the White House faces when promoting policies.

A system report from the U.S. Congressional Research Service (CRS) points out that U.S. foreign policy power is shared between the president and Congress. Congress can influence policy through legislation, budget restrictions and oversight mechanisms; the president has important powers such as diplomatic negotiations and policy implementation.