A top Chinese policy advisor, Zheng Yongnian, has identified Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as key figures who could significantly challenge China during Donald Trump’s second term as U.S. president. The two have been tapped to lead a new “Department of Government Efficiency,” aimed at streamlining governance by cutting regulations and reducing federal workforce size, which Zheng believes could make the U.S. system more competitive.
Zheng warned that such reforms might intensify strategic pressure on China, forcing it to contend with a more efficient U.S. government. The advisor emphasized that this competition could reshape global dynamics, particularly between the two superpowers.
Trump is expected to further heighten tensions with Beijing by imposing stricter trade tariffs and reinforcing U.S. stances on contentious issues such as Taiwan and the South China Sea. These moves align with his broader “America First” policies from his earlier term, which heavily targeted China.
China, meanwhile, is preparing countermeasures, including economic reforms and opening markets to enhance domestic resilience. Zheng suggested that Beijing must focus on institutional reforms and strategic openness to maintain competitiveness amidst growing U.S. pressure.
