Trump's choice of officials will be 'very difficult' for U.S-China relations, analyst says

Record ID: 1856083

  • Title: Trump's choice of officials will be 'very difficult' for U.S-China relations, analyst says
  • Date: 13th November 2024
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (NOVEMBER 13, 2024) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (English) DIRECTOR OF THE SOAS CHINA INSTITUTE, STEVE TSANG, SAYING: “The Chinese government has an extremely good working relationship with Elon Musk because of the deal they made over the Shanghai mega factory for Tesla. I think they still believe that they can work their magic on Elon Musk. And if I am right,
  • Embargoed: 27th November 2024 13:40
  • Keywords: APPOINTMENTS CHINA ELON MUSK MARCO RUBIO SENIOR TRUMP U.S. U.S.-CHINA RELATIONS
  • Location: VARIOUS
  • City: VARIOUS
  • Country: Various
  • Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA001939713112024RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: Donald Trump's choice of appointments for senior positions in the U.S. government will make things "very difficult" for relations with China, an analyst told Reuters on Wednesday (November 13).
    Speaking from London, director of the SOAS China Institute Steve Tsang told Reuters that the potential appointment of Marco Rubio as the Secretary of State would pose a particular challenge to China.
    Former presidential candidate Rubio is a top China hawk in the Senate, and was sanctioned by Beijing in 2020 over his stance on Hong Kong following democracy protests.
    Tsang believes that in order to be seen as too "accommodating" of U.S. senior officials such as Rubio, Chinese President Xi Jinping would engage more directly with Trump during his next term as president.
    The government appointment of entrepreneur Elon Musk also raises questions, Tsang says, particularly around Trump's desire to impose trade tariffs on China, where Musk manufactures large parts of his Tesla car brand.
    "I think we are looking at exceptions rather than general relaxation of tariffs on something like EVs," Tsang says.
    (Production: Sophie Royle)
  • Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2024. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register