Trump's Post-Election APEC Visit Signals Harder Line on China

US President Donald Trump will attend the APEC summit hosted by China next week, where Beijing may misjudge him as weakened by midterm election losses, potentially prompting even tougher U.S. policy toward China. The Wall Street Journal notes China's economy is far weaker than in 2014, when President Obama visited after a similar Democratic defeat. Beijing has failed to fully honor agricultural and rare earth commitments from the Busan trade truce, and restricted diesel exports before U.S. elections. China lacks moderate voices toward the U.S., and may misread the U.S. political system. Trump's appointment of hardline immigration adviser Miller as chief of staff signals a firmer approach, while Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang's scandal complicates easing tech export controls.