President-elect Donald Trump announced on November 9 that former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and ex-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo will not join his upcoming administration, despite his appreciation for their past service. Trump, who made the statement on social media, highlighted his previous positive working relationship with both figures. Haley, a former South Carolina governor, endorsed Trump for president after initially criticising him in the primaries. Pompeo, previously considered for a potential Defence Secretary role, ruled out a 2023 presidential run. Both Haley and Pompeo have yet to publicly respond to Trump’s decision as his team forms.
Trump, 78, was elected as the 47th president of the United States. He defeated Vice President Kamala Harris, 60, in the elections held on November 5. In the first term, Trump served as the 45th president from January 20, 2017, to January 20, 2021.
In his book titled 'Never Give an Inch: Fighting for the America I Love,' former US Secretary of State Pompeo, 59, writes that he held multiple interactions with the Chinese leader and found him "dour" and a "quintessential Communist apparatchik".
The bilateral relationship came under severe strain following the deadly clash in Galwan Valley in Eastern Ladakh in June, 2020.
Pompeo mentioned in his book that when the incident occurred he was in Hanoi for the US–North Korea Summit.
"The United States government should immediately take necessary and long overdue steps to do the right and obvious thing: that is to offer the Republic of China, Taiwan, America’s diplomatic recognition as a free and sovereign country,” Pompeo said in a speech organised by a Taiwan think-tank.
The whisky matter came to light in the State Department's annual accounting of gifts given to senior U.S. officials by foreign governments and leaders.
The move appeared to be another part of an effort by Pompeo and Trump's Republican administration to lock in a tough approach to China before Democratic President-elect Joe Biden takes office on January 20.
It’s not clear exactly what the hackers were seeking, but experts say it could include nuclear secrets, blueprints for advanced weaponry, COVID-19 vaccine-related research and information for dossiers on key government and industry leaders.
Russia has denied involvement.
Comoros, Cuba, Nicaragua and Russia have been placed on a Special Watch List (SWL) for governments that have engaged in or tolerated severe violations of religious freedom.
China calls Taiwan the most sensitive and important issue in its ties with the United States, and has been angered by the Trump administration's stepped up support for the Chinese-claimed yet democratically ruled island, such as arms sales.
The remarks by the Chinese Foreign Ministry came a day after Secretary of State Mike Pompeo assured India that the US stands firmly with it to confront threats to its sovereignty.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held the third edition of the 2+2 talks with US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Defence Secretary Mark T Esper. Both sides were assisted by their top military and security officials.
The signing of the long-negotiated Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement (BECA) during the third edition of the 2+2 dialogue between the two strategic partners also signals further boosting of bilateral defence and military ties and it comes in the backdrop of India’s tense border standoff with China in eastern Ladakh.
The meeting took place ahead of the third edition of 2+2 ministerial dialogue. Esper and Pompeo arrived here on Monday for the crucial talks aimed at further boosting the defence and security ties between the two countries.
The Pompeo-Esper visit to New Delhi is part of a concerted US campaign to draw India into a deeper defence relationship.
The Basic Exchange and Cooperation Agreement on Geospatial Cooperation (BECA) will allow India access to topographical, nautical and aeronautical data for better accuracy of weapons like missiles and drones.
From India’s point of view, it would have made more sense to have the 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue later this year, if Donald Trump is re-elected, because there would be greater clarity on issues then
The United States, which antagonised Beijing this week by approving the potential sale of three weapons systems to Taiwan, has also been pushing for stronger security ties with India to help balance China's growing regional influence.
As Trump, Pompeo and other officials have ramped up criticism of China for its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the administration has also steadily increased pressure on Beijing's interests in the United States.
Pompeo and Esper will hold two-plus-two talks with Indian defence minister Rajnath Singh and external affairs minister S Jaishankar on October 27, the statement said.
The 73-year-old -- who previously served as governor of Iowa for more than 20 years across two spells -- had been in his post since May 2017, representing Washington in Beijing during a period when tensions with China were heightened over trade, regional territorial claims, the coronavirus pandemic, and unrest in Hong Kong.
"Since 2013, the PRC has used its state-owned enterprises to dredge and reclaim more than 3,000 acres on disputed features in the South China Sea, destabilizing the region, trampling on the sovereign rights of its neighbors, and causing untold environmental devastation," Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said in a statement.
The secretary of state said China has the desire to expand its power and reach.