Why Is Xi Jinping Keeping a Close Watch on Him? 

U.S.-China Confrontation. (Video screenshot)

[People News] The U.S. midterm elections have just wrapped up, and following the Democratic Party's victory, President Donald Trump announced on November 6, local time, via his social media that White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller would be promoted to Chief of Staff due to his "outstanding job performance," succeeding Susie Wiles. Trump described Miller as "one of my most trusted advisors." 

Many may recall that in May of this year, Miller accompanied President Trump on his visit to China. During the visit, when Xi Jinping shook hands with each member of the Trump team, his gaze briefly lingered on two individuals: one was Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had been sanctioned by the Chinese Communist Party, and the other was the young Miller—who was then serving as a presidential assistant, White House Deputy Chief of Staff, and Homeland Security Advisor. 

Footage shows that after shaking hands with Miller, Xi Jinping did not immediately move on to the next person but instead paused and stared at Miller for a full three seconds. In diplomatic etiquette, this is considered a relatively long gaze. It is evident that Xi had been informed in advance by his aides about Miller's background, recognising him as a true hardliner within Trump's inner circle, with a very tough stance towards the Chinese Communist Party. This kind of gaze serves not only as an examination but also as contemplation; in addition, could there be an underlying sense of pressure as well?

Miller was born in 1985 into a politically left-leaning Jewish family in California, but he began to adopt a firm conservative ideology during his high school years. After graduating from college, he worked his way up from the grassroots level, initially serving as the press secretary for Congresswoman Michele Bachmann, a Tea Party Republican. In 2009, he joined Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions, known for his strict anti-immigration policies, who later became the U.S. Attorney General. Miller was promoted to communications director for Sessions, where he was responsible for writing many of Sessions' speeches and concentrating on immigration policy.

In January 2016, Miller became a senior policy advisor for Trump's presidential campaign, frequently appearing at campaign rallies. He also wrote Trump's speech for the 2016 Republican National Convention, establishing himself as Trump's chief speechwriter. By August of that year, Miller was appointed as the head of Trump's economic policy team.

During Trump's first term in office, Miller served as a senior advisor to the president and was seen as a key architect behind the administration's decision to cut the number of refugees allowed into the U.S. Notably, he played a role in drafting Executive Order 13769, which sought to limit travel and immigration from citizens of seven Muslim-majority countries, suspend the U.S. refugee admission program for 120 days, and impose an indefinite ban on Syrian nationals entering the U.S.

Additionally, Trump has proposed constructing more border walls along the U.S.-Mexico border, hiring an additional 10,000 agents for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and tightening asylum policies, all of which reflect the influence of Stephen Miller.

Following Trump's second inauguration, Miller took on the role of Deputy Chief of Staff and later became the Homeland Security Advisor, significantly increasing his position and power.

Beyond his hardline stance on immigration, Miller also adopts a negative and aggressive position towards the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). He describes the CCP as a nation that has distorted the global trading system through decades of intellectual property theft, trademark infringement, copyright violations, industrial espionage, currency manipulation, illegal subsidies, and targeted dumping. He asserts that previous presidents have allowed the CCP to plunder the United States in a barbaric and comprehensive manner.

Miller has publicly declared that Trump's tariff actions represent the beginning of a rescue for the West from complete economic control by another major power, labelling the U.S. reliance on the CCP for critical supply chain components as 'shameful.'

Miller's views align closely with those of Peter Navarro, an economist and current senior advisor at the White House who has earned Trump's trust. In his book 'Death by China,' published over a decade ago, Navarro exposed the CCP's various harmful actions against the world, notably stating that 'the foundation of American manufacturing is dead.' He listed eight tactics employed by the CCP to undermine American job opportunities, including illegal export subsidies, manipulating exchange rates to influence tariffs, counterfeiting and stealing intellectual property, environmental degradation to cut costs, labour exploitation, export restrictions on essential raw materials, predatory pricing and dumping, and Great Wall protectionism.

Moreover, Navarro explicitly stated that the United States is effectively providing support to the tyranny of the CCP, and that human rights conditions in China have not improved but have actually deteriorated.

During Trump's two terms in office, he launched a trade war against the CCP, restricted its infiltration into the United States, and increased sanctions on CCP officials, which can be attributed to Navarro's influence. Both Miller and Navarro share similar views, making them both significant adversaries in the eyes of the CCP. Xi's close examination of Miller likely stems from awareness of his influence within the White House, and Miller's assertion that 'we cannot compromise on strategic interests for the sake of the appearance of diplomatic victories' is precisely what troubles the CCP.

Shortly after Trump announced Miller's appointment as White House Chief of Staff, Navarro took to social media to congratulate him, stating: 'Since 2016, I have been fighting alongside this MAGA warrior in Trump's trenches. As Trump's chief speechwriter, he helped shape the MAGA vision! He is a hardliner on China, a guardian of the border, and a true representative of blue-collar workers! President Trump has sent the strongest signal to the MAGA base!'

The tweet included a photo with the caption: 'Taken to celebrate the withdrawal from the disastrous Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement—this was one of the first promises fulfilled from the 2016 campaign.'

Does Miller's appointment and Navarro's remarks indicate that the Trump administration will soon adopt tougher policies regarding the border and trade with China? Could this be a response to the CCP's covert attempts to disrupt the United States, inflict harm, and even interfere in elections? △