The U.

S.

Presidents Mainland bashing will go on until he steps down in January.

That may lead the president elect with little room to leave his own mark.

Trump will make good on his vow to be tough on the People's Republic until the end of the White House may expand an executive order barring Americans from buying, selling or owning securities in Chinese companies linked to the mainland's military.

By the end of Trump's term, there could be upwards of 300 firms on that list.

Expanding sanctions is another option.

In December, the U.

S Treasury Department is expected to name foreign banks that do significant business, with Hong Kong officials deemed responsible for undermining the region's autonomy that could cut them off from American banks.

The biggest punch would be to reignite Trump's trade war that would likely rattle markets after the two sides reached a truce in January.

The next president could roll back any of these potential moves, but then he risks looking soft on China.

As different as Biden is from his predecessor.