Pete Buttigieg: Biden considering former mayor for China ambassador ‘in boost to future presidential hopes’
Former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, considered to have played key role in president-elect’s victory
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President-elect Joe Biden is reportedly considering picking Pete Buttigieg, who he once compared to his son, as the US ambassador to China.
Appointing Mr Buttigieg to the role would be seen as a boost to the younger Democrat’s future presidential hopes. In March, Mr Buttigieg dropped out of the race to be the party’s presidential nominee for the 2020 US election.
The 38-year-old former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, is considered to have played a key role in Mr Biden's presidential nomination. He won the most delegates in the Iowa caucuses before dropping out of the presidential race to consolidate moderates' support around Mr Biden.
After Mr Buttigieg dropped out, Mr Biden said in a rally speech: “I don’t think I’ve ever done this before, but [he] reminds me of my son, Beau. I know that may not mean much to most people, but to me it’s the highest compliment I can give any man or woman.”
The posting to China generally goes to experienced politicians. If Mr Buttigieg, a polyglot, gets picked for the job in Beijing it will be an important stepping stone for him.
It could also mean a repeat of 1974 when President Ford appointed George HW Bush to the US liaison office in Beijing. Mr Bush was 50 at that time while Mr Buttigieg would be 39 if confirmed by the senate.
The posting is an important one as during the Biden presidency, America’s relationship will China will be an area of concern, having severely deteriorated during Donald Trump’s tenure.
However, China is not the only posting for which Mr Buttigieg’s name is being considered: he is also being discussed for key domestic roles.
Mr Buttigieg, an Afghan war veteran and the first openly gay Democratic candidate for the US presidency, was already passed over for the role of US ambassador to the United Nations.
He has apparently signalled to Mr Biden’s transition team his interest in a role related to foreign policy or national security.
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