Biden Wants Pete Buttigieg for Ambassador to China But He is Also Being Considered For Other Roles
President-elect Joe Biden is considering former South Bend, Indiana, mayor Pete Buttigieg to be his China ambassador, according to Axios.
Buttigieg was one of Biden's rivals for the Democratic presidential nomination, and he endorsed and campaigned for Biden when he dropped out of the race.
Biden promised to be tough on China during his election campaign.
Axios also reported that Buttigieg is being considered for other key domestic roles — President-elect Joe Biden is considering nominating his former presidential rival Pete Buttigieg to be his ambassador to China, Axios reported.
People familiar with Biden's thinking told Axios that he was considering Buttigieg, who was once his rival for the Democratic nomination, for the role, as well as other top domestic positions within his administration, including including at the Department of Transportation or Department of Commerce.
Buttigieg, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, dropped out of the 2020 presidential race in March, after an unexpectedly strong performance that included him winning the Iowa caucuses.
Buttigieg then endorsed Biden, and campaigned for him.
Buttigieg joined Biden's transition team in November, after Biden won the presidential election against President Donald Trump.
Biden promised to be tough on China during his election campaign, and was critical of Trump's relationship with the country, accusing the president of not effectively standing up to it.
Tensions with China marked the Trump presidency, and brought about a tariff and trade war.
As Business Insider's Thomas Colson previously reported, Biden has been critical of that strategy, and experts say he is likely to work with Europe to put pressure on China.
Axios reported that many within the Democratic party expect that it's likely Buttigieg, who is 38, will run for president again in the future - and that giving him this role would give China the chance to become familiar with a possible future president.
It also noted that Buttigieg had reportedly wanted to be the ambassador to the United Nations, but that Biden did not choose him for the role.
Buttigieg is now saying that he would most like roles related to foreign policy or national security, sources told Axios.
Axios also noted that Biden has focused on nominating people of colour and women to roles, and that it is still possible that Buttigieg will not be nominated to any senior position.
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