What will the US midterms mean for trade policy on China?
Quick Look
Democrats' comprehensive victory in the US midterm elections could embolden Congress to assert greater authority over trade policy and scrutinize Trump's deals with China, though analysts say a dramatic shift is unlikely as Trump retains broad executive discretion over tariffs.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Democrats won a comprehensive victory in the US midterm elections, which analysts say could embolden Congress to assert greater authority over trade policy and scrutinize President Donald Trump's deals with China.
The Democrats’ comprehensive victory in the US midterm elections could embolden Congress to assert greater authority over trade policy and scrutinise the deals President Donald Trump made with China, analysts say, though a dramatic shift in Washington’s trade policy is unlikely.
“Congress, including pro-free trade Republicans who have been intimidated into standing down, might be inclined to reassert some degree of congressional authority on trade,” said Stephen Olson, a former US trade negotiator.
As Trump retained broad executive discretion over tariffs, a major shift in trade policy was improbable, added Olson, who is also a visiting senior fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Congress may reassert some degree of congressional authority on trade
Possible · Short term
Open Questions
- What specific trade deals with China might Congress scrutinize?
- What actions might pro-free trade Republicans take if emboldened?
- What degree of congressional authority over trade might be reasserted?
