President-elect Donald Trump is continuing to assemble his White House team, with former critic-turned-ally Marco Rubio set to be confirmed as Secretary of State. This move, which places Rubio in charge of US foreign policy, is seen as a clear signal of Trump’s hardline approach to global affairs.
With Republicans closing in on a narrow majority in the House of Representatives, Trump could soon control the presidency and both chambers of Congress, streamlining his policy agenda. However, even with this power, changing the US Constitution remains out of reach, should that thought cross Trump’s mind.
On Wednesday, Trump will meet with President Joe Biden at the White House for a formal transition discussion ahead of the January handover. Unlike in 2020, when Trump refused to meet Biden after rejecting the election results, this meeting is set to go ahead. However, one notable absence will be Melania Trump, who has reportedly declined an offer to meet with First Lady Jill Biden.
Meanwhile, Trump has appointed tech mogul Elon Musk to head a new department aimed at “slashing regulations,” which could impact Musk’s own business interests.
Trump’s nominations of Marco Rubio and Representative Mike Waltz as key members of his foreign policy team signal a readiness for what some are calling an “existential” confrontation with China. Rubio, a vocal critic of Beijing, and Waltz, both hawkish figures, represent a sharp departure from the Biden administration’s more diplomatic approach, which has focused on managing tensions with China through dialogue and avoiding direct conflict.
Rubio has long viewed China as a global adversary intent on reshaping the world order. In a 2023 speech, he described China’s ambitions as more than just striving for power—they seek to “reorient the world.” This view sharply contrasts with Biden’s strategy, which emphasizes competition and containment while seeking to prevent direct confrontation.
Experts like Robert Daly suggest that Rubio’s tough stance, combined with Waltz’s appointment as national security advisor, could signal a shift toward a strategy that treats the Chinese Communist Party as an existential threat to US interests.
“They are facing a United States committed to the destruction of the Communist Party,” Daly remarked.
While Trump has been known for his personal rapport with Chinese President Xi Jinping, it will ultimately be Rubio and Waltz who set the strategic direction for US-China relations. Rubio, a proponent of traditional internationalism, is considered the preferred choice for conservatives who favor a strong US global presence. However, his combative rhetoric on China could alienate more isolationist voices within the Republican Party.