The Senate on Tuesday confirmed former Georgia Senator David Perdue as ambassador to China, amid the tariff showdown between the two countries. He was confirmed 67-29 with some Democratic support.
David Perdue Photographer: Dustin Chambers/Bloomberg
In nominating Perdue, President Trump had said he would be instrumental in implementing a “productive working relationship with China’s leaders.” During his confirmation hearing in early April, Perdue said the U.S. approach to China must be “nuanced, nonpartisan, and strategic.” He also called the U.S. relationship with China the “most consequential diplomatic challenge of the 21st century.”
Perdue served in the U.S. Senate from 2015-2021, then lost his Senate seat to Democrat Jon Ossoff and ran unsuccessfully in a 2022 primary against Republican Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. Before launching his political career, Perdue held a string of top executive positions, including at Sara Lee, Reebok and Dollar General.
“As a native Georgian, and an active member of the Chicken Caucus while in the Senate, Ambassador Perdue has an intimate knowledge of the chicken industry and we congratulate him on his confirmation,” said NCC spokesperson Tom Super. “China is an important market for U.S. broiler exports, especially paws, and we look forward to working with him and the administration on market access issues.”
