Paul Shen, Roger Lin

    linmin67@hotmail.com

    DONALD TRUMP’S surprise win in the U.S. presidential election last week has left people around the world, including the pundits, in shock after opinion polls and media analysis had overwhelmingly forecasted a Hillary Clinton victory.

    However, Chinese-American Wall Street financier Sophia Yao, who was a key member of Trump’s campaign team, did not see Trump’s victory as an upset. “Americans are eager for change, eager for renewal. The reason why Trump was able to win almost all swing states lies in the fact that the president-elect and his campaign addressed all major issues which concern voters most, like tax, job creation, health care, national security and anti-terrorism efforts,” Yao, a former beauty queen who runs an investment fund in the United States, told the Shenzhen Daily in an interview via email over the weekend.

    Although Trump has repeatedly said in his campaign that he would punish China for “stealing American jobs” and label China a “currency manipulator” if he was elected, Yao downplayed the possibility of worsening China-U.S. relations. “During elections of different levels in the United States, candidates usually would attack non-allied countries to please voters. However, after they are elected, they would become reasonable and pragmatic. They would eventually choose not to engage in any [senseless] conflict with other major countries,” Yao said.

    She noted that Trump is popular among most Chinese-American voters. Trump’s work ethic, entrepreneurship and devotion to his family were among the reasons why he won the hearts of most Chinese-Americans.

    While many Chinese may not be fond of the blunt-spoken billionaire because of his China-bashing rhetoric during the campaign and the allegations of several women that he had inappropriately touched them, many Internet articles have gone viral that laud what Chinese netizens perceive to be Trump’s successful education of his children.

    The speech by Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, at the Republican National Convention on July 21, has captivated many Chinese viewers, who were impressed by her eloquence, composure and elegance.

    Yao said that Trump loves his family but is also strict with his children. They are not allowed to smoke, not to mention use drugs. Trump is always with them when they take part in public events. Even his rival, Hillary Clinton, endorsed his family’s education, Yao said. “I respect his children,” Clinton said during the second presidential debate. “His children are capable and devoted, and I think that says a lot about Donald.”

    Ivanka Trump said in her speech, “In the same office in Trump Tower where we now work together, I remember playing on the floor by my father’s desk, constructing miniature buildings with Legos and erector sets, while he did the same with concrete, steel and glass … He taught us that there is nothing we cannot accomplish, if we marry vision and passion with an enduring work ethic.”

    One of Trump’s sons, Eric, said that although his father usually works long hours, he would always be by his side and support him when he needed help, according to Yao. Trump’s other son, Donald Jr., said that with his father’s guidance, he had quit smoking and drinking within one year of joining his father’s company.

    “Trump’s children love their father unconditionally, because Trump encourages them to pursue beautiful things, and teach them how to turn the impossible into possible,” Yao said.