The US-China decoupling under Trump could have 'serious' consequences for ordinary people

US President-elect Donald Trump’s A second term could have dire consequences for American and Chinese societies if fears of expanded national security policies and rising economic barriers come true, according to an expert on U.S.-China relations.

Stephen Orlins, Chairman of the National Committee for US-China Relationsa New York-based nonprofit consulting group, said a worst-case scenario would involve a significant shift into the future disconnection of the two largest economies in the world.

A deepening divide in trade, investment and research cooperation could stifle global innovation and exacerbate tensions, with profound consequences for people in both countries, Orlins said at a lecture organized by the Center on Contemporary China and the World .

Addressing the gathering at the University of Hong Kong on Thursday, he said he is concerned about ambiguous national security policies that would impact a number of sectors, a decline in academic cooperation and a further reduction in trade and investment.

“So I hope … Trump and those around him can agree on a definition of national security that would allow more Chinese investment in the US, more US investment in China, which would further limit restrictions on exports,” he said. Orlins.

“There would still be export restrictions, but it would be a much more clearly defined definition,” he said, adding that everything was scrutinized through the lens of security.