Who is David Perdue? The newly sworn 'hawkish' US Ambassador to China

David Perdue has officially taken over as the United States Ambassador to China, marking a crucial moment in the Trump administration ’s evolving approach to Beijing.

Sworn in by US secretary of state Marco Rubio in the Oval Office on Wednesday, Perdue pledged to advance American interests at a time of deepening economic and geopolitical strain between the two nations. "I want the world to know I know this man personally. He loves this country, and I am glad to be your man in China," Rubio said during the ceremony.

Perdue steps into the role just as the US and China are locked in an escalating tariff war, with US President Trump recently imposing duties of up to 145% on Chinese goods.

Beijing retaliated with 125% tariffs on US exports, further straining ties. President Trump expressed confidence in Perdue’s ability to handle the complex relationship, urging him to deliver his greetings to Chinese President Xi Jinping and tackle the inflow of Chinese fentanyl into the US. “We lost, I believe, 3,00,000 people last year,” Trump said, adding that Perdue “will work to promote American interests and stability in the Indo-Pacific.”

Who is David Perdue?

• David Perdue, 75, is a former Republican senator from Georgia and a seasoned businessman with deep ties to US President Trump.
  
• He served in the Senate from 2015 to 2021 and was a member of the Foreign Relations Committee.
  
• As per the BBC, he was once described as “anti-China” by a Chinese think tank, and he’s widely regarded as a China “hawk” within Washington.
  
• During his Senate tenure, Perdue advocated for a stronger US Navy and criticised Beijing’s military buildup in the Indo-Pacific.
  
• Before entering politics, Perdue held top executive roles, including CEO of Dollar General and president of Reebok.
  
• He also lived in Hong Kong and Singapore while brokering major international business deals, a credential Trump praised during the swearing-in. “He rose to lead several major American corporations… and he did a great job,” Trump said, highlighting Perdue’s global experience.
  
• After losing his Senate seat in 2020 to Democrat Jon Ossoff, Perdue unsuccessfully ran for governor of Georgia in 2022, echoing Trump’s baseless claims of election fraud. Despite political setbacks, he remains a trusted Trump ally.
  

According to Politico, Perdue told senators during his confirmation hearing that China is waging a “new kind of war” and pledged to focus on curbing the export of fentanyl precursors to Mexico.

With no prior diplomatic experience, Perdue’s success may hinge on his close relationship with Trump and ability to navigate a fraught US-China relationship. As Max Baucus, former ambassador to China, was quoted by Politico, saying, “He does have to show that we Americans are strong — that we’re not going to get pushed around.”