The “China card” has historically been used by U.S. politicians to gain political advantage, especially during elections. However, in this election cycle, the “China card” has not been prominently featured in the presidential debates.
Historically, the use of China as a political tool in U.S. elections has been triggered by two main conditions: significant setbacks in China-U.S. relations for the sitting president and perceived domestic political gains for the opposition party in criticizing the president’s China policy. With neither of these conditions applying in the current election cycle, China has not been a major issue.
The lack of focus on China in this election cycle contrasts with past examples where the issue was utilized by the party out of power to criticize the sitting president’s handling of China-U.S. relations. The absence of the “China card” in the current debates points to a shift in priorities and concerns among political parties.
The dynamics surrounding the “China card” in past elections demonstrate its effectiveness as a campaign tool. However, the evolving landscape of U.S.-China relations and the current political climate have led to its diminished use in the current election cycle. The focus on domestic issues and other foreign policy challenges has relegated China to a secondary position in the electoral discourse.