For Trump and his supporters, the time has come for a domestic conservative revolution to merge with a global movement, with the ultimate goal of totally transforming the political landscape of the West. But while the crises Trump sparks may be unpredictable, they are not necessarily uncontrollable.

Donald Trump is likely to seek a fresh start when he returns to the White House, creating an opportunity to build a healthy and sustainable China-U.S. relationship. The world is big enough for the two major powers to grow and prosper together and avoid veering into a vicious tech rivalry — or even a new cold war.

The incoming administration in the United States is expected to intensify export controls on China and strengthen measures to block overseas markets for Chinese technology products. However, Donald Trump’s new team, steered by his pragmatic approach, may ease the pressure in some sectors.

At the beginning of the new year, China-US Focus interviewed Professor Wang Jisi of Peking University’s School of International Studies and founding president of the university’s Institute of International and Strategic Studies, about the potential scenarios of China-U.S. relations over the next four years.

A resurgence of right-wing populism will feature prominently in Trump 2.0. And the rise of “effective accelerationism” espoused by tech elites will interact with it, ushering in more uncertainty. How these factors interact will likely determine the U.S. growth trajectory in the years ahead.

The incoming U.S. president must move quickly to avoid being ensnared in the Ukraine debacle, with Russia winning the ground war. For Trump to get a prompt, positive reaction from Vladimir Putin, he needs to throw Europe under the bus and move on. Otherwise, the ultimate defeat won’t just be NATO’s. It will also be Trump’s.

During his first campaign for office, Trump’s threat to impose tariffs on China was dismissed by many as a rhetorical flourish, not serious policy. Today, his threat to impose a 60 percent tariff on Chinese goods or revoking China’s most favored nation status must be regarded as credible and actionable.

Trump 2.0 is expected to be more mature than it was in Round 1. He will likely place greater emphasis on leadership and earning respect from other countries. If both sides commit to communication, managing differences and deepening cooperation, relations can find a new balance in a complex international environment.

Trump's proposed tariffs on Chinese imports serve his nationalist base but ultimately act as a deceptive "shell game," shifting costs to American consumers and producers. While some industries may benefit short-term, the broader economy and middle-class Americans will ultimately bear the long-term consequences.

Despite his unpredictability, Donald Trump seems committed to the current strategic trajectory. But China has gained a deeper understanding and accumulated significant experience. It will likely approach America’s Indo-Pacific Strategy with greater confidence and composure in Trump’s second term.