US unlikely to soften stance on China even with more moderate Robert O’Brien as national security adviser, analysts say

Robert O’Brien is less experienced that his predecessor so Donald Trump is expected to continue to drive foreign policy

But the new appointment has in the past warned against Beijing’s rapid rise and spoken in favour of Taiwan’s democracy

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US President Donald Trump says he expects his new national security adviser Robert O’Brien to do a “great job”. Photo: AP

Published: 12:00am, 20 Sep 2019Updated: 10:33am, 20 Sep 2019

Washington’s tough policy stance on Beijing is unlikely to change following US President Donald Trump’s naming of Robert O’Brien as his new national security adviser, observers say.

While the US State Department’s top hostage negotiator is a China hawk, O’Brien is considered less confrontational than his predecessor, John Bolton, who is widely reported to have disagreed with Trump on a range of policies, including Iran and North Korea.

Diplomatic observers in China said O’Brien’s selection suggested that Trump would remain the core decision-maker within his administration.

“O’Brien is much less experienced on foreign policy and national security compared with his predecessors like HR McMaster and Bolton, and much more low profile,” said Shi Yinhong, director of the Centre on American Studies at Renmin University of China.

“So he could take care of specific issues, but it would be hard for him to offer advice on issues related to national security and diplomatic strategies. But perhaps that what Trump needs.”

Trump was full of confidence in his selection when he announced the appointment.