House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has appointed former Trump administration official Cliff Sims to serve on the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission.
The Commission is tasked with monitoring, investigating, and submitting an annual report — both classified and unclassified — to Congress on “the national security implications and impact of the bilateral trade and economic relationship between the United States and China.”
The report includes recommendations to Congress for legislative and administrative action to strengthen the U.S.’ position against its top geopolitical threat and competitor, China.
Sims, who previously served as President Trump’s Deputy Director of National Intelligence for Strategy and Communications, was backed by former top officials and current key U.S. lawmakers for the position.
“Cliff played an integral role in our efforts to shift the Intelligence Community’s focus toward an adversarial China,” said former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe. “I commend Speaker Johnson for this appointment and for sending a clear message that President Trump’s approach to confronting China is the surest way to secure America’s future security and prosperity.”
Others who backed Sims for the position included former Trump national security adviser Robert O’Brien, Donald Trump Jr., House Armed Services Committee Chairman Mike Rogers (R-AL), House Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO), and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX).
“Cliff was instrumental in the aggressive China moves late in the Trump Administration and this appointment is a savvy move by the Speaker to keep Trump and his allies close,” said a source close to House leadership.
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