Joshua Young became the fresh office coordinator China House in the U.S. State Department – informed agency Nikkei Asia. This unit, officially called Office of China Coordination, remains within the structures of the Office for East Asia and the Pacific (EAP), however, its function is to be strengthened in connection with Washington's fierce rivalry with Beijing.
Young, who will simultaneously service as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for China and Taiwan, is already the 4th coordinator China House since the establishment of this unit in 2022. His predecessors were Rick Waters, Mark Lambert and Kevin Kim.
Greater White home Control
According to information provided by Nikkei Asia by a State Department official, Young has strong support from the ultimate authorities of the ministry, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Undersecretary of Political Affairs Allison Hooker. His appointment is to accelerate implementation of the White home decision, especially since Rubio is besides a national safety advisor to president Donald Trump.
Young takes over at a time erstwhile erstwhile Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asia, Kevin Kim, was overburdened with his duties – he was besides liable not only for China, but besides for Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan, and more late for Southeast Asia and Oceania.
Experience in safety policy and competition with China
Before taking office in China House Young dealt with global safety policy, including countering proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. He had previously worked in think tank Project 2049 Institute (now Institute for Indo-Pacific Security), and during Trump's first word – at the Pentagon under the direction of Randy Schriver, an Indo-Pacific expert.
– Young has quite a few experience in interagend coordination and analysed the rivalry of US-China through the prism of the economy," Schriver said in an interview with Nikkei. He wondered how to grow Washington's tools to compete more effectively with Beijing.
Preparations for Trump's visit to China
One of the key tasks China House This year will be the organization of Donald Trump's planned visit to China. According to Bonnie Glaser of the German Marshall Fund, Marco Rubio will play the lead in the preparations, but the Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (responsible for trade negotiations) and Trade Secretary Howard Lutnick, who is already consulting the CEOs of large companies on participation in the delegation will besides play an crucial role.
– Trump makes all final decisions and will surely not stick to the script during the gathering with China's leader," Glaser added. Still, China House will be liable for preparing materials and recommendations.
Young's nomination is another step of Trump's administration towards tightening policy towards China, with a peculiar emphasis on economical competition and security. As the U.S. President’s visit to Beijing approaches the function China House It'll be more and more crucial.
Source: Nikkei Asia
Leszek B. Glass
Email: [email protected]
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