Nicholas Burns, a career diplomat, is in the final stages of verification to serve as President Biden’s ambassador to China, people familiar with the matter say to Axios.
Why does it matter: Throughout the administration, there is a consensus that the US relationship with China will be the most critical – and consequently – of Biden’s presidency. From trade to Taiwan, the stakes are high. Burns could be among the first batches of diplomatic nominees announced in the coming weeks.
- Biden set the table for the nominations on Thursday, drawing from the State Department’s Foreign Service as he appointed nine career diplomats for Somali posts in Senegal.
- The external service traditionally provides 70% of the approximately 190 candidates, and the appointment of career appointees should first reduce internal complaints about political appointments.
- The remaining seats, usually in the coveted capitals of Western Europe and in crucial Asian countries, are usually reserved for well-trodden donors, former politicians or policy experts.
Between the lines: Burns is a professor at Harvard University and a former State Department spokesman, who ended his career in the Foreign Service serving as Undersecretary of State for Political Affairs for President George W. Bush.
- By sending him to Beijing, Biden would indicate a preference for an experienced diplomat over a powerful politician.
- The last four US ambassadors to China have all had experience in retail policy, winning statewide elections, either as governor or senator.
- Burn’s potential nomination was reported by Bloomberg in February. A final decision by the president was not taken.
Intrigue: Biden officials considered former US Trade Representative Charlene Barshefsky for the post.
- Although not a politician, Barshefsky won Senate confirmation, served in President Clinton’s office, and negotiated with the Chinese to join the World Trade Organization.
Go deeper: Biden officials have been urged to name a former elected official for Beijing, the theory is that the Chinese prefer to deal with a big name who can pick up the phone, go through bureaucracy and talk directly to the president.
- “He has to call a person ‘wow-wow’ to show the world the importance of this relationship,” said former Sen. Max Baucus, the Montana Democrat who served as China’s second Obama ambassador.
- “It is also essential that the person be empowered to negotiate on behalf of the president,” he said. “Ambassadors should not be just a person sending messages.”
Bottom line: With the Biden National Security Council and the State Department heavily focused on China, the ambassador’s next task could be more about implementing the policy rather than creating it.
- In addition to working with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, Biden’s Chinese envoy will also have to coordinate with former Secretary of State John Kerry on climate change.
- The ambassador will also have to deal with Kurt Campbell, a former careless assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs, who now plays a new role created by the “Asian tsar” in the National Security Council.