President-elect Donald Trump has made some conventional choices for his top foreign policy positions, opting for Sen. Marco Rubio as secretary of state and Rep. Mike Waltz as national security adviser. Both Rubio and Waltz align with Trump's hard-line stance on China and Iran, which may reassure American allies but raise concerns for China and Iran.
Rubio, a seasoned politician with roots as the son of Cuban immigrants, has a tough stance on leftist governments in Cuba and Venezuela. He has been a key figure in securing the U.S. position in NATO, despite Trump's criticisms of the alliance and his praise of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Waltz, a former Green Beret with combat experience in Afghanistan and the Middle East, emphasizes the importance of Ukraine's neighbors stepping up in defense, urging European countries to contribute more to Ukraine's defense.
Both Rubio and Waltz have shifted their positions to align more closely with Trump's policies, particularly on China and Iran. Rubio is known for his confrontational approach toward China and strong support for Taiwan, earning him the nickname 'anti-China vanguard' in China.
While some of Trump's other national security picks have raised eyebrows for their lack of experience or controversial views, Rubio and Waltz bring a level of mainstream conservatism and foreign policy expertise to their roles.
Analysts view Rubio and Waltz as 'ultra-hawkish' toward China, with Rubio being blacklisted by Beijing for his support of Uyghurs and Hong Kong activists. Waltz has called for boycotting the 2022 Winter Games in Beijing over human rights concerns.
Overall, Trump's selections for these key foreign policy positions signal a hawkish approach on China and Iran, potentially setting the tone for his administration's foreign policy agenda.
