As Americans vote in one of the tightest presidential elections in decades, China is bracing for an outcome that — regardless of who wins — would spell four more years of bitter superpower rivalry over trade, technology and security issues.

Strategists in Beijing said that while they expected more fiery rhetoric and potentially crippling tariffs from Republican candidate Donald Trump, some said he could be driven by pragmatism and willingness to strike deals on trade and Taiwan.

From Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, Beijing expected predictability and a continuation of U.S. President Joe Biden's approach centered on working with allies on China-related issues such as tech curbs, Taiwan, and conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East.