Trump’s NSA Choice: How Waltz’s Appointment Could Extend Biden’s India and China Strategies

As the Trump administration prepares to take office, they plan to build on President Joe Biden’s strategy for the Indo-Pacific region. This will include a strong focus on managing relations with China and deepening ties with India. Mike Waltz, the selected National Security Advisor (NSA), stressed that China represents a significant long-term challenge for the U.S. He emphasized that India is an essential ally in this ongoing competition.

Waltz spoke at an event called “Passing the Baton 2025: Securing America’s Future in the Era of Strategic Competition” at the US Institute of Peace. He addressed important topics like regional alliances, defense, and trade. His remarks came alongside Jake Sullivan, the current NSA under Biden, who also attended the event.

Focus on India

Mike Waltz, who used to co-chair the US-India Caucus, sees India as a vital partner for America, especially in countering China’s influence. He shared that during a recent trip to India, Sullivan observed the strong support for the US-India Congressional Caucus, highlighting Waltz’s popularity there.

Sullivan mentioned, “I was just in India last week. They love you there as a co-chair of the India Caucus.” He expressed excitement about Waltz’s appointment, noting the warm reception he received in India.

Approach to China

Waltz referred to Trump’s plan to handle China, calling it the “greatest adversary” for the U.S. He recognized the challenges presented by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) but expressed a desire to avoid conflict, pointing out that China relies on access to U.S. markets.

“The President-elect believes we can prevent conflict with the CCP because they need our markets,” Waltz stated. He indicated that Trump’s team would continue strategies like AUKUS and the Quad, initiatives already set in motion by the Biden administration. Special attention will be given to Taiwan and the considerable backlog of U.S. arms sales valued at $20 billion, which will be crucial to the new administration’s approach to China.

Sullivan reinforced the importance of keeping focus on the long-term competition with China, noting, “We have not faced a challenge like that in a very long time, perhaps ever.” His comments highlighted the need for the U.S. to invest in its own capabilities while rallying allies and addressing China’s unfair economic practices and aggressive actions, particularly in the South China Sea and around Taiwan.

The commitment to strengthening regional alliances remains strong, with continued efforts toward trilateral dialogues involving South Korea, Japan, and the U.S., as well as Japan, the U.S., and the Philippines. Waltz assured that Biden’s initiatives in these areas would persist as a means of countering China’s influence in the region.