Trump names JD Vance as his 2024 running mate for vice-president

“After lengthy deliberation and thought, and considering the tremendous talents of many others, I have decided that the person best suited to assume the position of Vice President of the United States is Senator JD Vance of the Great State of Ohio,” Trump posted on Truth Social.

Others said to have been in contention were North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum and Senators Marco Rubio of Florida and Tim Scott of South Carolina.

Vance has been outspoken on China since becoming senator in 2023. He has introduced several pieces of legislation targeting China, including ones to restrict Chinese influence on the US education system and the financial market.

During his campaign for his seat, he expressed support for imposing new tariffs on China, which Trump has repeatedly committed to doing.

The 39-year-old Ohio senator serves on several Senate committees, including Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, as well as Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

Trump and Vance could make an appearance on stage at the four-day convention as early as Monday evening. The former president is expected to become the official Republican nominee after a roll-call vote scheduled for Monday.

The party platform is also expected to be formally adopted on Monday. Released earlier this month, it includes a commitment to “secure strategic independence from China”.

“Republicans will revoke China’s most-favoured-nation status, phase out imports of essential goods and stop China from buying American real estate and industries,” the document says.

The former president also defended his plan to impose a 10 per cent tariff on all imports so that countries like China could “pay us a lot of money” and help reduce the US deficit.