ChinaTalk Pottinger on Trump 2.0
Feb 14, 2024
In this engaging discussion, Matt Pottinger, former Deputy National Security Advisor and current chair of the China Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, shares his insights on a potential second Trump administration’s approach to China. He delves into Trump's strategic ambiguity regarding Taiwan, contrasts it with Biden's policies, and examines the bipartisan support for the ongoing US-China trade conflict. Pottinger also reflects on the political fallout of COVID-19 and his experiences within Trump's National Security Council.
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FDR's Unconventional Leadership
- FDR famously was not a process guy; he didn't like convening staff or cabinet.
- He directed things personally, even writing telegrams to generals, and won WWII without a Joint Staff or NSC.
NSC's Origins and Evolution
- The NSC was initially created to constrain the president's power, particularly in response to FDR's style.
- However, Truman repurposed it to serve as his own staff, centralizing power.
Effective NSC Practices
- For an NSC to be effective, staff must remember they serve the president, not their original agencies.
- The NSC's power lies in convening other departments, a power it should hold exclusively.
