US presidential election 2020: What's behind Trump's 'Beijing Biden' taunt?

Is it to lure Biden into a 'China hawk trap'? Or is there not much difference really between the two candidates on China?

A Taco Bell outlet in Beijing. Analysts note that despite US-China tensions, foreign policy is somewhat low on the agenda for the average American voter.
A Taco Bell outlet in Beijing. Analysts note that despite US-China tensions, foreign policy is somewhat low on the agenda for the average American voter. PHOTO: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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The campaign to re-elect President Donald Trump is casting former vice-president Joe Biden as weak on China, tarring him with, among other nicknames, "Beijing Biden".

"China would own our country if Joe Biden got elected," Mr Trump said at a glittering event at the White House last Thursday night to formally accept the nomination of the Republican Party.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on August 30, 2020, with the headline What's behind Trump's 'Beijing Biden' taunt? The China factor in the US presidential election. Subscribe