“After lengthy deliberation and consideration, and taking into account many other incredible talents, I have decided that the person best qualified to serve as Vice President of the United States is Senator J.D. Vance of Ohio,” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.
Hours later, Vance was officially nominated at the party convention as the Republican vice presidential nominee for 2024.
Others said to be in the running were North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, Florida Sen. Marco Rubio and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.
Before running for office, Vance Hillbilly Elegyis a bestselling memoir detailing his experiences growing up in a poor, working-class family in post-industrial Ohio.
Vance, an Ohio native, has criticized China for contributing to the loss of manufacturing jobs in his state and across the United States.
Vance has been outspoken about China since joining the Senate in 2023. He has introduced several bills targeting China, including ones to limit Chinese influence in the U.S. education system and financial markets.
Another area of focus for senators is China’s potential influence over critical American infrastructure.
The 39-year-old Ohio senator serves on several Senate committees, including Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, Commerce, Science and Transportation.
“That will be the future of American foreign policy. [the] “For the next 40 years, Europe must realize that.”
Still, some analysts question the extent to which Trump would support a tougher view of the China threat if re-elected, given his reputation for supporting a retreat from international engagement.
Vance appeared at the convention on Monday to receive notice of his nomination, after Trump formally won the Republican nomination in a roll call vote earlier that day.
The party platform was also formally adopted on Monday. The platform, released earlier this month, includes a pledge to “ensure strategic independence from China.”
“Republicans will strip China of its most-favored-nation status, phase out imports of essential goods, and block Chinese purchases of American real estate and industry,” the document states.
The former president also defended his plan to impose a 10% tariff on all imports so that countries like China would “pay a lot of money” to help reduce the US budget deficit.
Politico reported Monday that President Trump met with independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in an effort to secure his endorsement.
Kennedy’s support, with some polls showing him in double digits, will give Trump a boost in his tight race against Biden.
