Mike Waltz is known for his aggressive stance towards China and is also co-chair of the India Caucus in the House of Representatives.

In a move that marks a tough approach to China, newly-elected US President Donald Trump has appointed a representative from Florida Mike Waltz as its new National Security Advisor (NSA). Waltz, a retired Army Green Beret with extensive experience in U.S. military operations and policy, has positioned himself as a fierce critic of China and advocate for U.S. strategic preparedness in the Indo-Pacific region.
What it means for China
Waltz’s appointment underlines the new administration’s commitment to confronting what he calls “the greater threat” posed by the Chinese Communist Party. Waltz had called for a US boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing over the origins of Covid-19 and the mistreatment of Uighurs.
In a recent Economist article written before the election, Waltz and former Pentagon strategist Matthew Kroenig argued that America should shift its strategic focus from Europe and the Middle East to the Indo-Pacific. “The next president should act urgently to bring the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East to a swift end and finally focus strategic attention where it should be: countering the greater threat from the Communist Party,” they wrote them.
Waltz has consistently advocated strengthening the US military’s readiness to counter potential Chinese aggression, especially regarding Taiwan. In his Economist article he wrote: ‘America is not building up military forces to deny a Chinese attack on Taiwan. It has reduced defense spending in real terms, potentially shifting the balance of power in China’s favor.” He has called for a significant increase in defense spending and a revitalization of the U.S. defense industrial base, emphasizing a belief in comprehensive military readiness.
Waltz’s appointment comes at a time when US-China relations are already tense, exacerbated by past trade wars, military posturing in the South China Sea and ideological clashes.
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Indian-American relations: a positive signal
Waltz’s elevation to a central role in Trump’s administration not only signals a more muscular approach to China, but also suggests that India-US ties will become even more important. India, which has its own complex and contentious relationship with China, may see Waltz’s strategic focus as a fortuitous alignment.
Waltz’s appointment has positive implications for India. As co-chair of the India Caucus in Congress, he has advocated for policies that support US-India ties. This dual role could bode well for New Delhi, especially as China takes an assertive stance along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). India, which has sought stronger defense and strategic cooperation with Washington, could see opportunities to deepen its partnership under an NSA that recognizes the strategic importance of an Indo-Pacific alliance.
The big picture
Waltz, 50, brings a robust background to the role of national security adviser. He is a retired Army Colonel and Green Beret with significant experience in combat operations and strategic defense, including multiple tours in Afghanistan and policy work at the Pentagon under Secretaries Donald Rumsfeld and Robert Gates. Waltz is also an outspoken advocate for an assertive U.S. military posture. His past criticism of President Joe Biden’s handling of foreign policy, especially the withdrawal from Afghanistan, underscores his belief in maintaining U.S. global strength and preparedness.
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Trump’s decision to tap Waltz is in line with his broader vision of America First — a doctrine that emphasizes U.S. strength, security and economic interests over multilateral obligations that Trump sees as disproportionately burdensome. The approach could alarm NATO allies who remember Trump’s past skepticism about the alliance. During his first term, Trump questioned the value of NATO, at one point suggesting that the U.S. might reconsider its participation if members failed to meet defense spending targets. This rhetoric, which was often seen as undermining Article V of the NATO treaty, caused friction in Europe. Waltz’s views on focusing resources on China could fuel concerns among European allies about shifting U.S. priorities away from traditional partnerships.
Zoom in
Trump’s nomination of Waltz is part of a broader wave of key selections that will shape his second administration. Other appointments include Elise Stefanik as US ambassador to the UN and Tom Homan as ‘border czar’, both of which reflect Trump’s America First principles. The inclusion of Waltz, a seasoned military officer with extensive foreign policy experience, underscores the administration’s prioritization of hard power and strategic competition over diplomacy-first approaches.
For China, Waltz’s aggressive stances will be met with concern as they signal a U.S. administration less inclined to compromise. For India, this is an opportunity to solidify a strategic partnership that counters shared threats. While Beijing could double down on its regional initiatives such as the Belt and Road and military maneuvers in the South China Sea, Indo-US cooperation under Waltz’s advisorship is likely to serve as a counterforce.
What’s next
The coming months will set the tone for U.S. foreign policy, with Waltz playing a critical role in shaping strategies that strengthen military capabilities in the Indo-Pacific. Expect diplomatic contacts with India and a strong emphasis on strengthening defense ties. This could translate into new bilateral agreements, joint military operations and coordinated policies in regional forums such as the Quad. NATO and European allies may have to recalibrate their own strategies as U.S. resources focus on countering China.
(With input from agencies)