Trump won the US presidential election with a decisive victory, securing 295 electoral votes so far and a second administration. The Republican’s political rival, Kamala Harris, garnered 226 electoral votes. Vote counts in Arizona and Nevada remain pending. The race was closely followed in China, with netizens extensively discussing the results on platforms including Xiaohongshu.

The election also resulted in a sweeping victory for the Republicans in down-ballot races. They gained full control of the Senate, winning 52 seats as compared to the Democrats’ 44. Republicans are also poised to potentially retain control of the House of Representatives. At the time of publication, they had secured 206 seats, closing in on the 218 required for a majority. Governorships also flipped to Republican control — dramatically reshaping the political landscape.

The election hinged on a few critical swing states, namely Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Michigan. Trump’s success in these states, along with his strong performance in Florida and Texas, played a crucial role in his overall victory. Meanwhile, Harris gained support in traditionally Democratic states like New York and California, ensuring a competitive race that kept voters and those interested from around the world engaged until the end.

On November 6 (China Standard Time), as results began to come, the election became the top trending topic on the popular social media platform Xiaohongshu. On Xiaohongshu, there were nearly 950 million views of content related to the US election. While this figure exceeds Xiaohongshu’s purported monthly user base (sometimes cited as around 300 million) and would constitute a significant portion of China’s entire population, the level of engagement still underscores broader interest in the election, especially considering that only around 244 million people in the US were eligible to vote.

Chinese netizens closely followed election results, displaying a strong awareness of races in key swing states like Pennsylvania. This level of engagement from China in response to such a significant voter population is remarkable, with many users well-informed about the dynamics at play.

There was a mix of opinions regarding the election results. Many congratulated Trump on his victory, praising him for his commitment to reducing global conflict. Meanwhile, others recognized Harris as a groundbreaking figure for women in politics.

Trump’s victory could trigger major shifts in foreign policy, particularly regarding trade and diplomatic relations with China. As the world watches closely, the implications of the election extend beyond US borders, influencing global politics. The coming years under Trump’s administration are likely to see complex negotiations as both domestic and international stakeholders respond to the evolving landscape of American foreign policy, fundamentally altering the US role in global alliances and diplomacy seen under President Joe Biden.

Banner image via PBS.