In a panel on geopolitical challenges, former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo said that China prefers a Trump administration, even if will never admit it, due to the belief of a higher likelihood for peace.
Geopolitical risks are increasing all over the world with the top issue firmly spotlighted on US-China relations. A key factor that will determine future events is the upcoming American elections, which will likely see a rematch between Joe Biden and Donald Trump. According to ex-Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo, China would rather have a victory by the former president.
«They never say it but they prefer Trump to Biden,» said Yeo during a panel at the «HSBC Global Investment Summit». «Trump doesn’t like wars, and the Chinese don't like wars.»
Taiwan is Key
Yeo noted that while China is willing to negotiate on a host of subjects, Taiwan is another issue. On the topic, he was optimistic about potential stability due to diplomatic efforts by the US as well as a weakened Democratic Progressive Party government that will allow for more compromise.
«If there is no war over Taiwan, I think the region will, more likely than not, be at peace,» said Yeo, who is currently a visiting scholar at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, National University of Singapore.
Ukraine War Beneficiary
On the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on China, Yeo said that the world’s second-largest economy is actually a beneficiary with no peace agreement likely any time soon even with a ceasefire.
«Which means that Russia will need China,» he explained. «The Chinese's strategic fear is of the West ganging up with Russia against China. [The war is] a gift to China.»
India-China Relations
For the broader region of Asia, Yeo believes that India-China relations is the key factor for stability. In this regard, he said he was also optimistic about the outlook, especially as the two had never fought except for a brief conflict in 1962.
«If they cannot find a way to accommodate each other, it will be an unhappy century,» Yeo added.
