President-elect Donald Trump is assembling an administration marked by strong views on China, indicating a hardline approach to Beijing across national security and trade. Key appointments announced on Tuesday include former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe for CIA chief, Fox News host and veteran Pete Hegseth as defense secretary, and Florida Congressman Michael Waltz as national security adviser. Each nominee has warned of China as a primary threat to the U.S., emphasizing the need to address its growing global influence.
Meanwhile, Trump named Elon Musk and biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy to head a new “Department of Government Efficiency,” diverging slightly as Musk holds relatively positive views on China. This move signals a blend of hawkish and pragmatic approaches in Trump’s incoming administration, which may impact the U.S. stance on issues from Taiwan’s defense to technology and trade relations with China.
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