A tougher line on China has become bipartisan wisdom in the US in recent years but Donald Trump and Joe Biden have different ways they will seek to confront the challenge, adding to the complexity of how Australia manages its biggest trading partner.

With the election race too close to call, the re-election of Mr Trump and retention of key personnel would represent a continuation of the US' aggressive approach to China on areas like technology and trade.

Under the Trump administration, the US has also stepped up the tempo of its freedom of navigation exercises in the South China Sea in a challenge to Beijing's maritime claims.

Mr Trump, free of the need to run for re-election, may be tempted to revive efforts to lock in a trade deal with Xi Jinping, despite blaming China for the coronavirus pandemic. But in general there is an expectation that a Trump re-election would not see a reversal of the current animosity between Beijing and Washington.

Mr Biden won't give a leave pass to China, but has spoken about co-ordinating efforts globally and acting more within a multilateral framework.

That will be welcome news to Australia and other middle powers that have despaired at Mr Trump's undermining of the international rules-based order.

Read the full article on the Financial Review website, featuring commentary by Dr Christian Downie