Donald Trump’s nomination as the presumptive GOP candidate has come amid global alarm that the openly protectionist candidate will launch a series of anti-free trade initiatives if elected. However, a trade war with Mexico, and even more so with China, would have catastrophic consequences for the U.S. economy.

Rather than focusing on the nominees’ rhetoric, Professor Timothy Webster explores their actions vis-à-vis China and the international economy during their respective careers. Whoever wins in November, the next administration will likely enact a China policy stressing economic engagement, person-to-person interaction, and cooperation on a wide range of global challenges — despite fundamental disagreements with China about a number of issues.

The lesson of Donald Trump and Brexit is that while elegant in theory, globalization suffers in practice. Those who worship at the altar of free trade – including me – must come to grips with this glaring disconnect.

The lesson of Donald Trump and Brexit is that while elegant in theory, globalization suffers in practice. Those who worship at the altar of free trade – including me – must come to grips with this glaring disconnect.

The rise in populism and nationalism could well undermine Clinton's dream to be America’s first woman president, but in this surprising year those forces provide no guarantees for Trump, either.

The rise in populism and nationalism could well undermine Clinton's dream to be America’s first woman president, but in this surprising year those forces provide no guarantees for Trump, either.

The empire perspective thinks in hegemonic terms and emphasizes military power. The republic perspective thinks in multipolar terms and emphasizes diplomacy. These two perspectives are active in both the Democratic and Republican parties. In both parties, however, the empire perspective is dominant. Would a Trump presidency mean a continuation of the Pivot to Asia?

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee insists that promoting democracy where it’s neither familiar nor welcome has been a foolish US policy. But abandoning the norms and institutions established after World War II will diminish not only US global leadership but also the entire international system – not good news in an era of weakening global economic development and uncertain international and regional security.

The presumptive Republican presidential nominee insists that promoting democracy where it’s neither familiar nor welcome has been a foolish US policy. But abandoning the norms and institutions established after World War II will diminish not only US global leadership but also the entire international system – not good news in an era of weakening global economic development and uncertain international and regional security.

Whether or not Donald Trump’s outlandish personality will carry him all the way to the White House, China-US relations and respect for China’s rise are so essential that any incoming president will act to keep the relationship stable.