He seems unlikely to make it easier for China, at least without something in return.
The US' usual pressure tactic is to create a bluff, first raise sanctions, and use this as a bargaining chip in negotiations to gain benefits. If you observe closely enough, you will find that every time before the U.S. government negotiates with the Chinese government, it announces new sanctions or other pressure tactics. Biden, however, played the card that Trump was going to play prematurely.
Trump can not go 'harder', because Biden has compressed Trump's tactical space.
So, when Trump enters the White House, he will find that he has few cards left to play - Chips, Oil, Ukrain War, interest rates, debt and deficit , etc Instead, there'll be mines left for him by Biden admin.
https://www.newsweek.com/trade-surplus-china-economy-exports...
Apparently Trump can't do this because Biden cut off his options..?
https://www.reuters.com/markets/asia/trump-unleash-nearly-40...
Trump can't cancel MFN because Biden already cancelled MFN?
https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/12/04/trump-pntr-status-china...
I think you're taking Trump too lightly.
You're talking about another thing.
Trump(or Biden admin)'s tactic is - move/push 3 step forward, back 1 step, use it to trade China's concession
Let's take TikTok ban as an example, if Biden didn't rush to play it and traded nothing, it will be a card of Trump, Trump can use it to trade(or threat) profit.
ofc Trump can seek other cards to play, but the TikTok card, and the Chip sanction card, were wasted by Biden, Trump can not go further in these two topics.
It's not about China or Chinese merchants, it's the game between Biden and Trump, and their parties.
Either one of these two president are willing or able to be friendly to China, there's no different, Trump will pressure China with tarrifs, Biden pressured China with geopolitical/financial containment and regime change
The only difference is which one will harm the US more.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Trump%E2%80%93TikTok_co...
If it's happens, Trump will take credit for it, while Biden did all the work.
Trump: 1, Biden: 0.
Trump seems to have very little to lose in a maximum policy towards China. Time for Trump to go full retard.