On Nov. 3, 2026, the Democratic Party of the United States of America won the midterm elections in “the biggest congressional landslide in 50 years,” according to The Economist. This could have lasting effects on U.S politics and influence the United States’ relationship with foreign entities, including China.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the United States is one of the largest sources of foreign direct investment stock in Hong Kong. And as of 2023, approximately 70,000 Americans currently reside in Hong Kong, which highlights the significance of the results of these elections.
Here is a recap of some of the biggest talking points from the midterms.
Democratic sweep
In a historic victory, the Democratic Party won the largest popular-vote victory in the House of Representatives in fifty years. Many historically Republican states, including but not limited to Texas, Kansas, Iowa and Ohio, were flipped, to the surprise of voters and politicians alike.
Texas Senator Ted Cruz, a member of the Republican party, described the event as a “blue tsunami,” to NBC News. “It was an a—kicking. It was not simply a bad 2006 midterm election. It was a Watergate-level repudiation.”
Meanwhile, some voters in Hong Kong hold a different perspective. Benjamin Heath, an American citizen living in Hong Kong, describes the importance of these results “Given that America is a superpower, what goes on in American elections has a strong effect on everyone.”
“I’m very optimistic,” says Heath, “It’s a great change from, in my eyes, a terrible administration. I’m excited for them to make some changes.”
The defection of Haley Stevens
These midterms came with a few surprise twists. Haley Stevens, a centrist candidate for the Democratic nomination in Michigan, publicly endorses Republican Mike Rogers after losing the nomination to fellow Democrat Dr. Abdul El-Sayed. This came as a grave shock to many voters, as just a week prior to this announcement, Stevens told CNN, “Of course I’m voting, you know, for our Democratic nominee for Senate. I’m voting for the Democratic ticket.”
The debacle resulted in Stevens’ expulsion from the Michigan Democratic Party, as well as the resignation of the majority of her own staff. It raises questions regarding just how well voters can trust the intentions of their chosen candidates.
The billionaire problem
According to the New York Times, Elon Musk has been named the biggest political donor of the midterms, reportedly donating over $276 million US dollars to right-wing candidates and campaigns. Many voters have expressed dissent with the amount of power Musk is afforded.
“I absolutely despise it,” says Heath, “I feel like a lot of the stuff that really bothers me in America is directly linked to billionaires, we need to figure out a way to separate all this money from politics.”
This news begs the question of just how much influence should a single individual be allowed to exert on politics.
Implications for China
China has not released any official comment on the results of the election, choosing to stay out a “domestic affair,” says Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning on Nov. 4, “China stands ready to continue working with the U.S. to uphold and deliver on the important common understandings reached by the two heads of state.”
Overall, the question of the relationship between China and the U.S. has taken a backseat during these midterms, as Americans focus more on the pressing problems of increased cost of living, impacts of AI, and war in Iran.
“When it comes to foreign diplomacy as a whole, putting checks and balances against Trump is really a good thing,” states Heath, “However, I don’t think repairing diplomatic ties with China, Russia or whoever should be the goal of the Democrats right now, that’s something that can wait until they elect a Democratic president.”
The current political climate of the United States has presented complications for Americans living outside the U.S.. Heath, who was born and raised in Hong Kong, says, “It definitely has changed how I publicly display myself. I don’t go around telling people that I’m American, because its not a popular nationality right now. You have to sort of divorce yourself from the MAGA ideology, at least outside of America.”
Looking forward
“We’re in a pretty volatile time, and it’s hard to predict exactly what will happen, because even though the Democrats have this huge sweeping win, there are definitely some big challenges in the way,” says Heath, as a reminder that the fight is not over. The next U.S. presidential elections will be held in 2028. Although Trump won’t be eligible for a third term, and the fate of the States is still up in the air.
“Be informed and go out and vote,” Heath urges his fellow voters, “Vote for what you believe in. We have to realize as a country that its not Democrat versus Republican. It is the billionaire class versus the American people. We need to band together across party lines.”