China must prepare for the worst in dealings with US under Donald Trump, experts say

New US president expected to ‘do everything he can’ to exert pressure on Beijing, including linking trade disputes with political issues, Chinese analysts say

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US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump dance at the Freedom Ball in Washington on Friday. Photo: EPA

Published: 10:00am, 21 Jan 2017Updated: 11:30pm, 21 Jan 2017

Beijing should brace itself for confrontation with Washington and greater complexity in regional security after Donald Trump pledged to put “America first” during his inaugural address, Chinese and regional observers said.

Pundits were closely following Trump’s first speech as president for signs of potential conflict between China and the US, although mainland state media struck a moderate tone in its coverage, suggesting the two nations could cooperate on a wide range of areas.

In his inauguration speech on Friday, Trump took a populist and combative approach, saying one of his priorities as president was to bring jobs back to America. He said he would put the nation’s interests first in formulating his economic and foreign policies.

“We must protect our borders from the ravages of other countries making our products, stealing our companies and destroying our jobs,” Trump said.

A White House statement issued after the speech said the US would “crack down on those nations that violate trade agreements and harm American workers in the process” and would “use every tool at the federal government’s disposal to end these abuses”.