China congratulates Trump, says it respects America's choice

7/11/2024 12:16

        China expressed respect for the U.S. election result and congratulated Donald Trump on his victory, and an official newspaper called for a "pragmatic" approach to bilateral differences as U.S. tariff threats loomed. Trump, a Republican who has promised to implement stiff tariffs, recaptured the White House with a sweeping victory over Democrat Kamala Harris in Tuesday's election. He will take office in January.
        
        "We respect the choice of the American people and congratulate Mr. Trump on his election as president," a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said in a statement late on Wednesday.
        
        China-U.S. relations have been fraught for years, notably around trade and security including Taiwan and the South China Sea.
        
        Trump's win could revive issues from his 2017-2021 first presidency, when he started a trade war with the world's second-largest economy and imposed tariffs.