During the Biden presidency, Donald J. Trump would often retreat to his opulent, gold-accented salon at Mar-a-Lago, a venue he previously used to host Chinese President Xi Jinping. There, Trump reflected on the trade deal he inked with China in 2020, sharing his frustrations with visitors about the administration’s handling of the agreement.

He often criticized “foolish individuals” in the White House for what he perceived as their failure to uphold “my trade agreement,” and speculated that, if re-elected, he could negotiate an unprecedented deal with Xi.

Now, as Trump prepares to potentially reclaim the Oval Office, he is contemplating a new trade agreement with China. Over a dozen current and former advisors, along with others attuned to Trump’s mindset, reveal that while considerable obstacles remain, the former president is eager to pursue a comprehensive deal with Xi that transcends mere adjustments to their trading relationship.

Trump has shown interest in a pact that would entail significant investments and commitments from China to purchase more American goods—a request that comes despite China not fulfilling its promise to buy an additional $200 billion in products and services as outlined in the 2020 agreement. Advisors note that Trump also wants to address issues concerning nuclear security, favoring direct discussions with Xi.

In his negotiation approach, Trump appears to be following familiar tactics that include imposing tariffs and other measures. Recently, he levied a 10 percent tariff on all imports from China, calling it an “opening salvo.” This move quickly elicited retaliatory actions from Beijing. He has also considered the possibility of revoking the permanent normal trade relations that the U.S. has maintained with China for over two decades.

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