New U.S. Ambassador to China Appointed Amid Looming Trade Discussions

New U.S. Ambassador to China Appointed Amid Looming Trade Discussions

Former Georgia Republican Senator David Perdue was officially sworn in as the United States ambassador to China on Wednesday. The timing of this event coincides with critical trade talks between the two nations, as President Donald Trump highlighted during the ceremony.

Trump addressed the gathering, saying, “We’re swearing in our next ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. What timing, David. What timing? Only you could have picked this timing.” His remarks came as Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepared to oversee Perdue’s swearing-in.

The Senate’s confirmation of Perdue took place on April 29 with a 67-29 vote. This appointment comes at a pivotal moment, as China and the U.S. are preparing to engage in discussions about trade following a period of increasing tariffs imposed by the United States.

Trump applauded Perdue’s extensive experience in both business and politics, stating, “Our new ambassador brings to this position a lifetime of experience at the highest levels of business and politics. And he is at the highest level. Over four decades in business, he rose to lead several major American corporations, including as the president and CEO of Reebok, where he excelled. Later, he led Dollar General as CEO, again achieving significant success. David has also lived and worked in Singapore and Hong Kong, gaining invaluable experience in negotiations and business deals across different sectors.”

In a light-hearted fashion, Trump quipped, “Say hello to President Xi when you’re over there,” starkly emphasizing the importance of personal relationships in diplomatic engagements.

Escalating Tariffs Shape U.S.-China Relations

The Trump administration has imposed tariffs of up to 145% on various Chinese goods, aiming to redress the ongoing U.S. trade deficit with China. Although Trump paused tariffs on numerous nations earlier in April, he has intensified his approach against China, which retaliated with its own set of tariffs, including a staggering 125% duty on U.S. exports.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer are set to meet with Chinese officials over the weekend in Switzerland to discuss these pressing economic matters. Bessent shared this development during a Fox News appearance, acknowledging both nations’ shared interests.

He remarked, “We have shared interests. This isn’t sustainable on the Chinese side — tariffs as high as 145% and 125% feel more like an embargo than anything else. We don’t desire to decouple; what we seek is fair trade that benefits both countries.”

China’s Response and Future Negotiations

In a recent statement, China’s Ministry of Commerce indicated they were considering a proposal from the Trump administration regarding the contentious 145% tariffs on Chinese products. They noted, “The U.S. has taken the initiative to convey information to China, expressing a desire to engage in talks.”

This willingness to discuss these matters comes as both sides deal with intricate trade relationship dynamics. Furthermore, the ministry cautioned, “Using these discussions as a pretext for coercion and extortion would not succeed.”

Previously, both Trump and members of his administration expressed openness to negotiation, with Trump stating, “We are waiting for their call. It will happen.” This reiteration of intent indicates a potential thaw in relations if both sides can reach a mutual understanding.

Addressing the Opioid Crisis

In addition to trade issues, Trump emphasized that Perdue will play a crucial role in addressing the crisis posed by synthetic opioids, particularly fentanyl, entering the United States. Recognizing this as a significant issue, Trump noted, “They have to stop fentanyl from coming in. This will be a very big part of your mission. I had an agreement with President Xi before my last departure, and he would have honored it. However, we saw a shift when the new administration took office.”

He added, “The previous years brought immense hardship and losses because of the surge in illicit substances crossing the border, harming American lives and families.”

As the new ambassador approaches his role with the backdrop of significant trade negotiations and urgent domestic issues, the outcomes of these discussions could have long-standing implications for U.S.-China relations.

Fox News Digital’s Ashley Carnahan contributed to this report.