Midterm polls show polarized US

Political dilemma likely to follow

Jin Canrong

A highly divided United States and voters' unhappiness with Trump are what the midterm elections have revealed. And given the split Congress, the political fighting between the Democrats and Republicans could intensify. So, neither the Trump administration's policies nor the policies the Democratic Party proposes are likely to be approved, making the government shutdown a possibility.

Therefore, the Trump administration could create trouble overseas to divert attention from the difficulties it is facing at home, especially because Trump, as president, enjoys special powers on the diplomatic front. It is unclear, though, whether the Trump administration will set its eyes on Eastern Europe, the Middle East or China.

Looking ahead, the 2020 presidential election results will depend on which party gains the upper hand in the political fighting and convinces the voters that its policies are more beneficiary to them. Which could be a rather difficult task for both parties.

Jin Canrong, a professor at and associate dean of the School of International Studies, Renmin University of China