U.S. President-elect Donald Trump picks former Senator David Perdue to be ambassador to China. This move is seen as beneficial for America as the former politician comes with business experience to help steer new relations.
Trump says Perdue will be instrumental in implementing his strategy to maintain Peace in the region, and a productive working relationship with China’s leaders.
Trump, who is to resume office on Jan. 20, 2025, said he will impose an additional 10% tariff on Chinese goods unless Beijing does more to stop the trafficking of the highly addictive narcotic fentanyl.
He also threatened tariffs in excess of 60% on Chinese goods while on the campaign trail.
Perdue, a Republican from Georgia who served in the Senate from 2015-2021, previously lived in Hong Kong during a 40-year career as a business executive.
Following President Joe Biden’s appointment of diplomat Nicholas Burns in 2021, Perdue’s nomination represents a return to the common pattern of sending former politicians to the U.S. embassy in Beijing over the past few decades.
In an indication that his approach to the United States’ principal strategic adversary may extend beyond trade restrictions, Trump has nominated hardline Chinese candidates for other high-level positions in his government, such as Senator Marco Rubio for secretary of state.
Trump appointed Terry Branstad, a former governor of Iowa, as his ambassador to China during his first term in office. In order to help manage trade tensions, Branstad tried to take advantage of his connections with Chinese leaders, particularly with Xi Jinping before to his appointment as China’s top leader.
The ambassador’s role in fraught bilateral relations remains to be seen. Some analysts say Beijing is likely to seek direct presidential or high-level engagement with Trump and his closest advisers, in order to navigate the almost-certain return of trade tensions.
