Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump have made it a point in their recent statements that they will implement stricter American trade policies - especially toward China - if either wins the presidential race this coming November 2016 elections.

Trump recently made a speech on his plans regarding the toughening of American trade policies, and Clinton announced hours after, saying that she favored actions similar to those that her supposed contender has talked about. The Democratic presidential candidate added that the real estate mogul stole her ideas on the matter.

Like Us on Facebook

Both presidential candidates have been fighting to assure that they will win the upcoming general election by promising that they will do more to preserve American jobs. China has been their target since the country's international influence has been increasing for years now.

However, past administrations have also promised the same thing, but once they have taken office, they have worked on peacemaking with China in order to have a warmer relationship.

China's economy has recently slowed, and it has hurt both small and large businesses. The weak economic growth of China has made the nation relient on the major trade relations it has with different countries.

Shen Jianguang, an economist at Mizuho Securities Asia, said in a statement, "If there are tougher trade policies from the United States, that will dampen Chinese exports."

Both Trump and Clinton are planning to make it seem like China is a currency manipulator and that they reportedly want to file trade cases against China and impose more tariffs. Trump wants to remove the Trans-Pacific Partnership, but Clinton opposed the idea.

If and when the American trade policies are strengthened and toughened, countries like Japan, Singapore, and Vietnam be affected, despite the Obama administration's efforts to strengthen ties with these countries.

Kishore Mahbubani, the dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in Singapore, also said that if America kills the Trans-Pacific Partnership, China will become the main center of economic gravity.

Chinese officials have not commented on the matter yet.

Tagsdonald trump, Hillary Clinton, stricter American trade policies, china, Trans-Pacific Partnership, Economy, American relations, trade with China