President Donald Trump’s approach to China in his second term has sparked debate, with many labeling it his biggest policy U-turn. During his 2016 campaign and first term, Trump took a hardline stance, launching a trade war with tariffs on Chinese goods, accusing Beijing of intellectual property theft, and blaming it for the U.S. trade deficit. However, recent moves in 2025 suggest a shift toward cooperation, driven by economic pressures, geopolitical realities, and Trump’s desire for a high-profile “win.” This pivot has alarmed China hawks and raised questions about the consistency of his “America First” agenda. From Confrontation to Cooperation In his first term, Trump imposed tariffs on over $380 billion of Chinese goods, targeting issues like technology transfer and...