President-elect Donald Trump continues to assemble his cabinet, recently filling two critical posts: Secretary of State and National Security Advisor.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio has been appointed U.S. Secretary of State. Known for his tough stance on China, Iran, Cuba, and Venezuela and as a staunch supporter of Israel, Rubio’s appointment highlights a foreign policy direction aligned with Trump’s hardline approach on international issues.

Rubio, who has previously questioned U.S. aid to Ukraine, recently suggested that the war has reached a stalemate and should be “brought to an end”:

“I think the Ukrainians have been incredibly brave and strong in standing up to Russia, but at the end of the day, what we’re funding here is a stalemated war, and it needs to be brought to a conclusion. I think there should be some common sense here,” he added.

Rubio also argued that “you don’t have to be a fan of Vladimir Putin to end the war,” indicating a pragmatic view of the Ukraine-Russia conflict.

Rubio’s ‘axis of evil’: China, Iran, Cuba, Venezuela

Rubio, a prominent China hawk sanctioned by Beijing in 2020 for his stance on Hong Kong protests, has consistently advocated for a firm U.S. stance against Chinese influence. In 2019, he called on the Treasury Department to launch a national security review of TikTok’s acquisition of Musical.ly, leading to an investigation and eventual divestment order.

As the ranking Republican member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Rubio has also pressured the administration on Huawei, calling for a complete sales block after the sanctioned Chinese tech giant released a new laptop powered by Intel’s AI processor chip.

Waltz: A decorated Green Beret advocating for strong U.S. global role

Mike Waltz, a decorated Green Beret and Army veteran, brings extensive experience to his role as National Security Advisor. Waltz’s military service and work at the Pentagon are detailed in his book, The Warrior Diplomat: The Wars of a Green Beret from Washington to Afghanistan.

Since his election to Congress in 2018, Waltz has served on Armed Services, Foreign Relations, and Intelligence Committees. His views on U.S. national security and foreign policy align with Republican perspectives, affirming the key role of the United States in global affairs.

While Waltz has encouraged NATO allies to increase defense spending, he has refrained from endorsing Trump’s occasional calls for the U.S. to withdraw from NATO. “Look, we can be allies and friends and have tough negotiations,” he stated recently.

Waltz: China hawk and advocate for stronger sanctions on Russia

Waltz believes the U.S. should continue supporting Ukraine, though he recently recommended a reassessment of financial support. Known for his tough stance on China, he has argued that the U.S. should prepare for potential conflict in the Pacific and sponsored legislation to reduce dependence on critical minerals from China and protect American universities from Chinese espionage.

Following the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021, Waltz frequently criticized President Joe Biden and the White House. In a recent NPR interview, he argued that it is “perfectly reasonable” to seek a diplomatic resolution to the war in Ukraine.

Waltz suggested that the U.S. could gain leverage over Russian President Vladimir Putin by imposing energy sanctions on Russia and increasing U.S. energy exports. “His economy and his war machine will dry up very quickly. I think that would bring Putin to the table,” he remarked, hinting that long-range weapons supplied to Ukraine could be used for strikes deeper into Russian territory.

Waltz: Bridging the gap between the Pentagon and Silicon Valley

Waltz’s new role as National Security Advisor could lead to stronger collaborations between the Pentagon and Silicon Valley. He advocates for a cultural shift in defense procurement and innovation, saying, “There are a lot of new technologies coming out of Silicon Valley and elsewhere that are really itching to help with our defense and security problems, and they can’t get through the bureaucracy.”

He concluded, “New leadership is essential, and a cultural change is needed.”

Robert Lighthizer, who served as U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) during Donald Trump’s first term and was instrumental in initiating the U.S.-China trade war, has been offered a return to the same role.

Sources familiar with Trump’s transition team discussions told Financial Times (FT) that Lighthizer has been asked to resume the USTR position, despite his interest in other posts, including a possible role at the Department of Commerce.

Lighthizer has also expressed interest in the Treasury Secretary position, though this role is expected to go to a financial sector expert, with candidates including hedge fund managers Scott Bessent and John Paulson.

Given Lighthizer’s influence in shaping trade policy during Trump’s first term, particularly with his “isolationist” stance, his potential reappointment could raise concerns in Beijing and among U.S. allies. Trump has previously pledged to impose high tariffs on imported goods, especially those from China.

Although Trump considered Lighthizer for Commerce Secretary, insiders suggest he is more likely to offer this position to Linda McMahon, the billionaire co-chair of Trump’s presidential transition team.

Democrats support Lighthizer’s appointment

Representative Brendan Boyle of Philadelphia, the ranking Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee—which oversees trade—expressed support for Lighthizer’s appointment. “I worked with Bob Lighthizer on the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) during his tenure as USTR. He was bipartisan in his approach and respected across the political aisle,” Boyle commented.

With three decades at Wall Street firm Skadden Arps, Lighthizer fought for U.S. steel interests against imports from China, representing companies like U.S. Steel. In a recent book, he even praised aspects of Biden’s trade policies, noting, “Our success explains why the Biden administration has continued many of the U.S. trade policy changes that President Trump, and I initiated.”

The ‘missile man’ who faced Japan

Lighthizer was also instrumental in the U.S.-Japan trade war of the 1980s, earning the nickname ‘Missile Man’ for his aggressive negotiation style. During heated talks, he famously folded one of Japan’s proposals into a paper airplane and launched it back at the Japanese delegation. Appointed Deputy USTR in 1983, Lighthizer played a critical role in pressuring Japan to limit exports of steel, cars, and other goods—a strategy he later adapted for renegotiating NAFTA and other trade agreements.

Criticism of free trade and industrial job losses

In the early 2000s, Lighthizer advocated for tariffs on steel imports to protect U.S. industries. Shortly before the recent U.S. election, he wrote an opinion piece in Financial Times blaming free trade for manufacturing job losses and describing the U.S. trade deficit as “alarming.” “Facing a system that is fundamentally failing our country, Trump has resolved to take decisive action,” Lighthizer wrote.

Following Donald Trump’s election as President of the United States, he began appointing key figures to new positions within his administration.

For the first time, a woman has been appointed as White House Chief of Staff. Susie Wiles, a prominent figure in Florida politics, rose from her role as Trump’s 2016 Florida campaign director to becoming a senior advisor for his 2024 candidacy.

According to Politico, Wiles was instrumental in helping Trump secure the presidency by running a disciplined and professional campaign operation. Wiles demonstrated a unique ability to manage Trump’s impulses, an accomplishment few others have achieved. In a statement, Trump described Wiles as “tough, smart, innovative, and universally admired and respected.”

One of Wiles’ defining characteristics, as noted by Politico, is her preference for working behind the scenes rather than making public speeches. She has a history with major lobbying firms, previously managing Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ campaign and working with Republicans such as Mitt Romney and Rick Scott.

Wiles’ role in Trump’s campaign strategy

Politico highlighted Wiles’ impact on transforming Trump’s once-chaotic political landscape into a more organized operation. This reorganization was particularly critical after Trump’s 2020 loss and the numerous legal challenges he faced in 2021. With Wiles’ involvement, Trump re-emerged as a presidential contender.

In addition to her work on Trump’s campaign, Wiles also lobbied for tobacco company Swisher International. She currently heads Mercury, a major lobbying firm whose clients include SpaceX, AT&T, and the Embassy of Qatar. However, Wiles herself is not registered as a lobbyist for these clients.

Since joining Trump’s campaign in 2022, Wiles has lobbied Congress on FDA regulations from 2023 to early 2024. Public disclosures indicate that Mercury received $120,000 for its work with Swisher International during this time, although Mercury ended its relationship with Swisher earlier this year.

Mercury CEO Kieran Mahoney congratulated Wiles on her appointment, stating, “This is great news for the country. Susie has been a valued colleague. We are all proud of her and wish her well.”

Trump’s 75-day transition team