TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — US President-elect Donald Trump said he has chosen David Perdue as his China ambassador.
The former senator has said the US’ strategic ambiguity policy on Taiwan should be clarified and once met ex-President Tsai Ing-wen (蔡英文). Trump said he picked Perdue via a post on his Truth Social platform on Friday (Dec. 6).
Perdue “will be instrumental in implementing my strategy to maintain Peace in the region, and a productive working relationship with China’s leaders,” Trump wrote.
In September, Perdue wrote in the Washington Examiner that democratic countries should decide if they will protect Taiwan. “Our ‘strategic ambiguity’ policy needs to be addressed with allies and clarified.”
Perdue added that it would be unacceptable if Taiwan goes the way of Hong Kong where China rules under the “one country, two systems” framework. He also wrote that China is “the most serious existential threat America has faced since 1789.”
Strategic ambiguity refers to the US' strong rhetorical opposition to unilateral changes in the cross-strait status quo, without explicitly committing to defend Taiwan if attacked. Defense Minister Wellington Koo (顧立雄) said in October that the policy deters Chinese aggression.
Perdue also led a group of US senators to Taiwan in 2018 and met with Tsai at the Presidential Office. During the meeting, Tsai praised him as Taiwan-friendly and Perdue said the US will continue to support Taiwan, according to the Presidential Office.
Before entering politics Perdue held several senior US corporate roles. He served on the US Senate's armed services and foreign relations committees in his six years in office.
Chinese military expert and Trump advisor Micheal Pilsbury told the Financial Times Beijing would be “breathing a sigh of relief at the appointment of an experienced wealthy businessman.”
Meanwhile, one of Perdue’s former congressional aides told the outlet the former senator was not a traditional hawk but would not be weak.
“The question is how influential he will be with Waltz and Rubio and the decision-making process on China, on tariffs, sanctions, and Taiwan,” the aide said, referring to Trump’s national security advisor pick Mike Waltz and secretary of state pick Micheal Rubio.
Trump described Perdue as a loyal supporter and friend in the social media post announcing him. Perdue falsely claimed elections were “stolen” from Trump and himself in 2020 and 2021.
Perdue's nomination is subject to confirmation by the US Senate.
