BEIJING — David Perdue, a former senator and accomplished business executive, has taken on the role of the new U.S. ambassador to China, arriving in Beijing on Thursday amid a pause in the escalating tariff dispute between the two economic powerhouses.
Expressing his commitment to his new position, Perdue wrote on X, “It is an honor to represent President Trump as the U.S. Ambassador to China. I am ready to get to work here and make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous.” Perdue brings with him a wealth of experience, having held executive roles across diverse industries such as clothing and logistics. A member of the Republican Party, he served as a senator from Georgia between 2015 and 2021 and pursued a campaign for governor in 2022.
In response to his arrival, a spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry, Lin Jian, stated that China is prepared to offer support to enable Perdue to execute his ambassadorial duties effectively. “We have always handled China-US relations based on principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. We hope the U.S. will move forward with us in this direction,” Lin remarked at a daily press briefing.
The recent agreement between the U.S. and China to lower the substantial tariffs on each other’s goods marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough, hailed by U.S. President Donald Trump as a victory. The deal entails the U.S. reducing a 145% tax imposed last month down to 30%, while China has agreed to decrease its tariff rate on U.S. goods from 125% to 10%. These revised tariffs took effect on Wednesday, revitalizing global markets to levels seen before Trump’s tariffs were enacted. Nevertheless, caution remains among many business owners.
Beyond trade, the U.S. and China continue to confront issues regarding security in the South China Sea—over which China lays extensive claims not acknowledged by the U.S. The U.S. criticizes China’s human rights policies in regions like Tibet, Xinjiang, and Hong Kong, and remains a steadfast ally of Taiwan, which China regards as its territory. These complex issues remain contentious, despite the tariff easement being a rare moment of concord.
Diplomatic relations between the two nations have been strained to levels reminiscent of past decades. An illustration of this tension was an edict from Perdue’s predecessor, Nicholas Burns, which prohibited American government personnel in China, as well as their families and contractors with security clearances, from engaging in romantic relationships with Chinese citizens. This policy has its roots in Cold War-era practices.
China’s stance on global conflicts also influences its relationship with the U.S. Notably, it has extended support to Russia following its comprehensive invasion of Ukraine in 2022, purchasing Russian oil and gas and acting as an economic lifeline for Moscow. Additionally, China’s exports in electronics have been a critical supply source for components used in Russian drones targeting Ukraine.
David Perdue’s confirmation by the Senate occurred on April 29, 2025. During his tenure in the Senate, Perdue was actively involved in several key committees, including Armed Services, Foreign Relations, Banking, Budget, and Agriculture. He chaired the Subcommittees on Sea Power and State Department Oversight and engaged extensively in international travel to enhance U.S. partnerships across Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, as noted in his official biography.