America’s biggest adversaries, Russia and China, have been showing support for Donald Trump to win the 2024 presidential election. Vladimir Putin has long been clear about his preference for Trump, as his presidency could potentially lead to a more advantageous situation for Russia. On the other hand, Chinese government-linked accounts have been masquerading online as American Trump supporters, spreading conspiracy theories, attacking President Biden, and promoting Trump’s reelection campaign. This indicates a tactical shift in China’s approach to influencing American politics, with a focus on specific candidates and parties.
Putin’s inclination towards Trump is due to the fact that Biden leads an international coalition opposing Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with U.S. support enabling Ukraine to resist Russian advances. Trump has suggested that he would end this support, aligning more closely with Putin’s interests. China’s reasons for supporting Trump are less clear, as Trump had taken a combative stance towards China during his presidency. However, there are potential benefits for China in a second Trump term, particularly in terms of the U.S.’s engagement in global politics and the chaos that could result domestically.
Biden views the U.S. as the leading democracy that must defend democracy in the face of autocratic threats, such as Russia’s actions in Ukraine and potential future actions by China. However, Putin and Xi hold a different perspective, believing that strong nations should be able to control their own regions. A second Trump term could mean less U.S. involvement in global conflicts and a focus on isolationist policies, which would align more closely with the views of Russia and China. Trump’s unpredictability and potential to create domestic chaos could also benefit America’s adversaries in terms of exerting more global influence.
Trump’s presidency has been characterized by disorganization, quick changes in positions, and encouragement of violence by his supporters. In a second term, this turmoil could increase, potentially leading to further division and radicalization within the U.S. The chaos and political instability that could result from a Trump reelection may provide opportunities for other countries, such as Russia and China, to assert more global influence and pursue their own interests at the expense of U.S. stability and security.
Despite Trump’s promise to make America great again and his strong support among his followers, the country’s biggest global rivals seem to believe that a Trump victory in the 2024 election would serve their interests instead. This highlights the strategic calculations made by foreign adversaries in shaping their preferences towards U.S. presidential candidates and the potential implications of their support for the country’s future. Ultimately, the decision of American voters in the upcoming election will have significant implications for the country’s relationships with these major global players and its position in the international arena.
