Essentially, Trump’s approach to China is broadly similar to that of his Democratic rivals. But the main difference is the angry public reaction that inevitably ensues, much to the displeasure of the extraordinary entrepreneur.

“If he has a specific goal and it doesn’t exactly align with yours, you know from the start that you’re not going to win,” said a former Downing Street aide who dealt with Trump during the former Prime Minister’s time. Theresa May. The aide, like others in this story, spoke on condition of anonymity to be candid about Trump.

Nadia Schadlow, the former deputy national security adviser responsible for strategy under Trump, warned that if the UK took a different path from Trump on China it could “have a negative ripple effect on different aspects of the relationship”.

Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese Studies at King’s College London, said whether Trump or his Democratic rival Kamala Harris wins next month’s presidential election, both will expect “solidarity” in their fight with Beijing.

“The problem is that there is predictable pressure under Harris, but unpredictable pressure under Trump.”

Not soft, honest

Labor insists its approach to China remains firm. But the hawks are still afraid.