Midterm result may give China trade opening, raise Taiwan risks

Democrats’ control of Congress after the US midterm elections could constrain President Donald Trump’s China policy and give Beijing an opening in trade negotiations, while raising concerns in China about Taiwan and a potentially tougher future US administration. The effects remain uncertain, and analysts say the political shift may complicate rather than fundamentally change relations between Washington and Beijing. The election result could make Trump more cautious about disrupting a temporary trade truce with China, which is due to expire in January. Analysts cited in reports said Beijing may judge that Trump, facing a Congress controlled by Democrats, has greater incentive to preserve the arrangement and avoid renewed economic disruption. That could encourage Chinese negotiators to seek tariff reductions or other concessions, though pressing too hard could jeopardize the stability Beijing also values. The immediate test is expected to be a series of meetings between Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping. The two leaders are expected to meet at the APEC summit in Shenzhen later in November and again in Miami in December during the G20. The planned discussions come as the...