Rubio Pick Signals a Trump China Policy That Could Go Beyond Tariffs

Contributing sentiments towards policy:

70% : During his first term, Trump approved more than $18 billion in arms sales for Taiwan, compared to Biden's $7.7 billion.
47% : Already, analysts are anticipating Taiwan will make large and early new arms purchases after Trump takes office, calls likely to fall on receptive ears at Rubio's State Department, which reviews and approves foreign weapons sales.
46% : It is unclear what leeway Trump, who has praised China's leader Xi Jinping at times, would give his new top diplomat to adopt restrictions on China, particularly those clashing with other goals of his administration.
44% : Rubio's selection on Wednesday came along with other cabinet picks that might upset China, such as Representative Mike Waltz as national security adviser and John Ratcliffe to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).Taken together, the choices suggest Trump wants to upend the Biden administration's approach of "managing competition" with Beijing on issues ranging from support for Taiwan to China's role in the U.S. fentanyl crisis.
34% : Trump has pledged to end China's most-favored-nation trading status and slap tariffs on Chinese imports in excess of 60% - much higher than those imposed during his first term.
29% : Some analysts believe Beijing may try to sidestep Rubio and seek engagement directly between Xi and Trump, or with other senior U.S. officials.

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