The history of China's relations with the United States under different US presidents suggests they will be not too good, not too bad even after Donald Trump takes office.

However, considering Trump's non-traditional personality, China should be braced for various scenarios, even unexpected ones, while dealing with the US.

Despite his show of an isolationist inclination during his campaigning, such as his threat to withdraw troops from Japan and the Republic of Korea and dismantle NATO, Trump has so far displayed a hard-line ideological approach, as indicated by his nominations for military, diplomatic, domestic and environmental posts in his administration, which means the US under his leadership is likely to be unwilling to seek compromises.