While the outgoing US president has been visionary in his effort to refurbish America’s image abroad, his embrace of rules-based order — with its traditional domination by Washington — can look very much like business as usual.

The U.S.-China relationship is probably the most important one that the next president will need to manage. There would be few surprises for Asia in a Clinton presidency who would largely maintain the traditional ‘hedge and engage’ policy towards China. While a Trump presidency could be seen as better for China, allowing more leeway on security issues, adding an additional element of unpredictability that he would bring to China’s already uncertain economy, would not be good for the country or President Xi Jinping.

The empire perspective thinks in hegemonic terms and emphasizes military power. The republic perspective thinks in multipolar terms and emphasizes diplomacy. These two perspectives are active in both the Democratic and Republican parties. In both parties, however, the empire perspective is dominant. Would a Trump presidency mean a continuation of the Pivot to Asia?

Trump’s comments about disadvantageous global trade deals with China could be considered stylistic simplifications—unlikely to be translated into policies—of the position that the U.S. government has sacrificed the interests of the majority, in order to maintain what can only be described as a global “empire.” A Trump presidency could actually usher in more peaceful China-U.S. relations.

Despite a history of China-bashing during US presidential elections, other concerns are capturing the attention of candidates and voters this year. That could make preserving the equilibrium between China and the US easier this time around, if the will is there in both capitals.

Although U.S. Republican presidential candidates have surpassed the pugnacity favored by their typically hawkish party, the candidates have been unusually soft spoken on China this year. China has been recognized by the Republicans as an adversary worthy of respect, and as a desirable partner in tackling regional problems.

China has received little attention in the early stages of the presidential election campaigns, besides by a few candidates hoping to score cheap political points. Posturing, even if not meant seriously, creates needless suspicions and resentment in U.S.-China relations.

The view of mainstream Americans about China is the key to formulating any US grand strategy toward Beijing. Today, while some domestic politics has negative effects, we need more dialogues to enhance transparency and control third-party factors with prudent management and precaution.

While the US president is the architect of foreign policy, its development is both a top-down and bottom-up process. As the 2016 election approaches, it’s important to listen to those at operational levels within the government and scholars in academic circles, to see how the public consensus about the US-China relationship is evolving.

With the US Party Conventions over, one Party’s platform in particular stood out as particularly detrimental to US-China relations. While it is now clear the hardliners within the Republican Party control its China policy, what is less apparent is whether or not Republicans have thought through the full ramifications of their confrontational positions towards China.