While viewing China as a major strategic competitor, Trump also acknowledges that there is still significant room for cooperation between the two countries. At a confirmation hearing in Congress on July 15 local time, Jay Clayton, the nominee for the position of Director of National Intelligence, stated that the United States and China “continue to cooperate extensively on the world economic stage,” and that he could continue to play a “greatly helpful” role in developing America’s economic strategy towards China.
According to the Hong Kong-based South China Morning Post report dated July 16th, Clayton attended a confirmation hearing held by the US Senate Intelligence Committee that day and answered questions from senators. As the nominee for the position of Director of National Intelligence, he will not only be responsible for coordinating the US intelligence system but also will be involved in the development of major policies related to national security, technology, and economics.
Jay Clayton is the candidate for the position of National Intelligence Director in the United States.
When answering "what are the main threats the United States currently faces," Clinton mentioned terrorism, drug trafficking, and criminal gangs, and referred to Russia, China, and Iran as America's "traditional rivals."
This statement quickly raised doubts among some lawmakers. Democratic Sen. Mark Warner said on the spot that he disagreed with putting the drug issue ahead of the challenges brought by China and Russia. In response, Clayton explained that he was not ranking threats in importance, but rather listing the main security challenges faced by the United States at the moment.
Subsequently, the senator shifted the topic to America's economic strategy towards China. Considering that Clayton had spent a long time working in financial regulation and capital markets, the senator asked if he could play a role in this field.
Clayton responded by saying that the United States and China “continue to cooperate extensively on the world economic stage,” and he believes he can play a “greatly helpful role” in formulating economic strategies targeting both China and Russia.
He also stated that many of the national security issues faced by the United States today are no longer limited to the traditional military domain, but increasingly involve technology, finance, and economic competition.
Republican Senator Mike Lawson also stated that the most urgent national security challenges today often involve multiple fields such as technology and economics, and these challenges go beyond the scope of traditional intelligence work. Therefore, intelligence agencies need to have a broader perspective.
Clayton has extensive experience in financial regulation. During Trump's first term in office, he served as the chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. After leaving that position, he worked for investment firm Apollo Global Management and renowned American law firm Sullivan & Cromwell. In 2025, he became a federal prosecutor in the Southern District of New York, responsible for handling one of the most important financial crime cases in the United States.
