Trump security pick Waltz pledges China strategy that reinforces Indo-Pacific ties

Mike Waltz delivers clearest signal yet on regional partnerships and also affirms stance on arms for Taipei

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Incoming US national security adviser Mike Waltz told a “Passing the Baton” event organised by the United States Institutes of Peace that the new administration will continue and reinforce Washington’s policies on China. Photo: USIP

Published: 12:59pm, 15 Jan 2025Updated: 3:00pm, 15 Jan 2025

Incoming US national security adviser Mike Waltz has said the new administration will reinforce Washington’s Indo-Pacific strategy – including arms sales to Taiwan – to deter Beijing’s ambitions in the region.

Speaking one week before Donald Trump’s inauguration, Waltz pledged to leverage Indo-Pacific partnerships, including the trilateral security alliance with Australia and Britain on technology supply chains, to counter Chinese influence.

His remarks offered the clearest signals yet since Trump’s re-election in November as to what the incoming administration’s strategy is likely to be regarding the Indo-Pacific region and Taiwan.

The return of Trump, who has often attacked US allies over their share of defence spending, unsettled many in Europe and Asia who fear he will not be as committed as his predecessor Joe Biden to regional security partnerships.

Waltz was appearing at a “Passing the Baton” event alongside his predecessor Jake Sullivan at the United States Institute of Peace on Tuesday, when he made the clear affirmation that US partnerships in the region would continue.

“Where I certainly give this administration some credit is the trilateral dialogue between South Korea, the United States and Japan, and then also between the United States, Japan and the Philippines,” Waltz said.