New US envoy to China expected to improve relations

Former US senator David Perdue, expected by President Donald Trump to strengthen US-China relations, was confirmed by the Senate as the US' 14th ambassador to Beijing on Tuesday.

Perdue, 75, a Republican from Georgia, received mostly partisan support, with 51 Republicans, 15 Democrats, and one independent voting for him. Twenty-eight Democrats and one independent voted against.

Confirmation of Trump's ally came at a critical juncture in US-China relations, marked by escalating trade tensions. It also coincided with the 100th day of Trump's second term.

By paving the way to post a top diplomat in Beijing, Perdue's confirmation could signal an opportunity to reopen high-level communication channels.

Beijing reiterated that there are no consultations or negotiations on tariffs, despite reports that the US has said trade talks were underway.

On Tuesday, China urged the US to stop threatening and pressuring and engage in dialogue based on equality, respect and mutual benefit after US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said it was up to China to de-escalate trade tensions.

Over the past few months, the Trump administration has rolled out sweeping tariffs, starting with a 10 percent blanket duty on all foreign-made goods. Dozens of countries received a 90-day pause until July, but tariffs on Chinese imports were raised to 145 percent.

During his confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on April 3, Perdue said he would "work to increase the tempo of diplomatic dialogue to get results and to achieve fair and reciprocal trade between our two economies".

At the hearing, Perdue gave his views of US-China relations since 1979 and of the status quo, mostly following the Republican Party policy line on China.

But he did call the China-US relationship "the most important diplomatic relationship of our time" and advocated for a "nuanced, nonpartisan and strategic" approach to China.

"Our two countries will naturally have areas of disagreement, and we should actively engage on these. We should seek areas where our interests align to develop a better and safer working relationship," he said at the hearing.

As a former Fortune 500 CEO, US senator, and as an expat living in Europe and Asia, Perdue's business acumen and political experience could contribute to easing tensions and fostering a more constructive US-China relationship, analysts said.

In initially tapping Perdue as his China envoy, then President-elect Trump said Perdue "brings valuable expertise to help build our relationship with China", citing his decades-long career in business. 

"He will be instrumental in implementing my strategy to maintain Peace in the region, and a productive working relationship with China's leaders," Trump said on his Truth Social platform in early December.

US Senator Steve Daines, a Montana Republican, said Perdue is "the right man at the right time" to become the top US envoy to China.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Daines said Perdue is "clear-eyed about the geopolitical realities and challenges" and possesses "a deep understanding of the culture and customs of the Chinese people".

Late last month, Daines said he would like to arrange a bipartisan delegation of US senators to visit China later this year, after Perdue had been confirmed.

In response, a spokesperson of China's Foreign Ministry said China is open to welcoming more members of the US Congress, as well as Americans from various sectors, to visit the country and see it firsthand.

huanxinzhao@chinadailyusa.com