15-05-2025
New U.S. Ambassador To China David Perdue Takes Up Beijing Post
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) swears in David Perdue (C) as U.S. Ambassador to China as ... More U.S. President Donald Trump looks on during a ceremony in the Oval Office at the White House on May 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. Perdue, a former Republican Senator and past critic of China, was confirmed by a vote of 67 to 29 amid a tense trade war between the two countries. (Photo by)
Newly confirmed U.S. Ambassador to China David Perdue took up his post in Beijing today amid tariff and other disputes between the U.S. and China that have strained business and other ties between the two sides.
'I arrived in Beijing today," the American representative said in a post 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, 75, was confirmed by the Senate as U.S. Ambassador to China on April 29. He was previously a U.S. Senator from Georgia in 2015-2021.
Earlier in his career, well-traveled Perdue spent over four decades as an American business executive, living in France, Singapore, and the U.S. as well as Hong Kong where he led Asia operations for Sara Lee Corporation, according to his embassy biography. Later, he was president of the Reebok athletic brand and chairman and CEO of Dollar General stores.
The Georgia native grew up on his family's farm. He holds a bachelor of industrial engineering and a master of science in operations research from Georgia Tech. Perdue and his wife met in the first grade and have been married for more than 50 years, the biography said.
Xinhua News Agency said in a report yesterday China is willing to 'provide facilitation' to Perdue in performing his duties. "China's position on the China-U.S. relations is consistent," Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lin Jian said in response to question about Perdue's arrival, according to the Chinese news agency.
Perdue's predecessor Nick Burns is currently a professor at the Harvard University and a vice chairman of the Cohen Group, a Washington-based consultancy.
American Business Group Lauds U.S.-China Trade Agreement; Stocks Soar
Thousands Line Up In D.C. For Chinese Cultural Tour Despite Tensions
Former Chinese Shopping Mall Billionaire Detained
