Trump’s tough stance worries Iran and China for election
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As tensions mount ahead of next week’s presidential election, former President Donald Trump’s adversaries are growing increasingly anxious about the prospect of his return to the White House. Trump’s hard-line approach during his first term, which included military threats and economic sanctions, has left nations like Iran and China apprehensive about a potential second Trump administration.
The race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris is neck-and-neck, with countries comprising the so-called “Axis of Evil” making no secret of their preference for a Harris victory. Their stance stems from both resentment over Trump’s past actions and fear of his future policies.
🚨TRUMP COMES OUT FORCEFULLY AGAINST THE IRANIAN REGIME🚨
Speaking now at a rally in North Carolina, Trump says that, "Iran can't have a nuclear weapon."
The Biden-Harris Administration departed markedly from Trump's tough on Iran policy, relaxing or not enforcing sanctions. pic.twitter.com/YesiS9fjLw
— Shelley G (@ShelleyGldschmt) November 3, 2024
Iran and China, known for their past election interference attempts, have reportedly employed various tactics to undermine Trump’s campaign. Iran, in particular, has been accused of assassination attempts and cyberwarfare operations against the former president.
Behnam Ben Taleblu, an Iranian affairs expert at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told the Daily Caller News Foundation, “While the Islamic Republic continues to mean what it says when it calls for ‘death to America,’ there is only one current presidential contender whom the regime and its terrorist network are trying to kill. That is Donald Trump.”
Trump’s “maximum pressure” campaign against Iran during his first term included withdrawing from the Obama-era nuclear deal and imposing harsh sanctions. This approach significantly impacted Iran’s terrorist networks, cutting off crucial funding streams.
Simone Ledeen, a former senior Pentagon official, explained to the DCNF, “Trump demonstrated he’s willing to hit them hard. This isn’t the same approach we’re seeing from the current administration, which is why Iran’s focus remains on Trump.”
The assassination of Iranian general Qasem Soleimani in 2020 further strained relations between the two countries. Since then, Iran has reportedly made multiple unsuccessful attempts on Trump’s life and launched cyberattacks against his campaign.
If reelected, Trump is expected to continue his tough stance on Iran. Taleblu suggested that a future Trump administration would likely “return to a policy of maximum pressure, and begin to put meaningful and sustained pressure on oil and petrochemical exports and financial flows.”
China, too, has expressed concerns about a potential Trump victory. Chinese officials reportedly view Trump as more unpredictable than Harris, with memories of the trade war during his first term still fresh in their minds.
While Beijing has refrained from publicly endorsing either candidate, sources suggest that Chinese officials initially hoped for a Biden victory before shifting their preference to Harris after Biden’s withdrawal from the race.
Trump’s campaign spokesman, Steven Cheung, stated that Iran is “terrified” of a second Trump presidency, adding, “The terror regime in Iran loves the weakness and stupidity of Kamala Harris.”
We know that Iran is actively trying to kill President Trump.
We also know that Iran wants Vice President Harris to win the election, yet the Intelligence Community has failed to say it.
The Intelligence Community must not suppress these facts from the American public. pic.twitter.com/5xKrRoqmGZ
— US Rep. Mike Turner (@RepMikeTurner) October 31, 2024
As the election approaches, both Iran and China have been accused of attempting to interfere in the process. Reports of cyberattacks targeting campaign data and the use of social media bots to influence public opinion have emerged, highlighting the ongoing efforts of these nations to shape the outcome of the U.S. presidential race.
With the election just days away, the international community watches closely, aware that the result could significantly impact global dynamics and America’s relationships with its adversaries.
