WASHINGTON: Donald Trump has named former Georgia Senator David Perdue as the U.S. Ambassador to China, tapping into his extensive business background and political experience to navigate relations with America’s most formidable economic and military rival.
In a social media post Thursday, Trump praised Perdue for bringing “valuable expertise” to help strengthen the U.S.-China relationship. Perdue, who lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Oss off four years ago and ran unsuccessfully for Georgia governor in 2022, had previously supported Trump’s false claims of electoral fraud during his gubernatorial campaign.
During his Senate tenure, Perdue earned a reputation as a staunch critic of China. In 2019, a Chinese think tank report labeled him “anti-China” for advocating a stronger U.S. naval presence to address growing geopolitical challenges, particularly from China. His position on China aligns with the Trump administration’s tougher stance on trade and global competition.
Before venturing into politics, Perdue held prominent executive roles at several major companies, including Sara Lee, Reebok, and Dollar General, equipping him with a deep understanding of global business dynamics.
Economic tensions will remain central to U.S.-China relations under the new administration. Trump has vowed to impose sweeping tariffs on China, as well as Canada and Mexico, with a focus on addressing illegal immigration and combating drug trafficking. He has proposed a 25% tariff on all goods entering from Canada and Mexico and an additional 10% tariff on Chinese imports, marking a significant shift in U.S. trade policy.
