Reference News Network, January 20 report: The U.S. "Foreign Policy" website published an article titled "Key Figures in Trump's 2.0 Foreign Policy" on December 22. Excerpts are as follows:

As the anniversary of Trump's presidency approaches, we decided to take a look back. We found that compared to his first term, the personnel changes in Trump's second administration have been relatively fewer. Below are several key figures who have had the greatest impact on Trump's foreign policy and are responsible for external communication.

Steven Witkoff

As a close friend of Trump, billionaire real estate developer Steven Witkoff has become the president's most important diplomatic negotiator, with responsibilities ranging from Middle East affairs to the Russia-Ukraine war. Although he had no prior diplomatic experience, Witkoff has achieved some results. Witkoff, along with Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner, successfully facilitated a ceasefire in Gaza.

However, Witkoff has achieved much less in ending the Russia-Ukraine war. Witkoff is now leading a new round of diplomatic negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. It remains unclear how successful this effort will be.

Marco Rubio

In the first 100 days of Trump's second term, Secretary of State Marco Rubio seemed often sidelined, especially as Steven Witkoff was repeatedly entrusted with major negotiations. However, Rubio has now become one of the most influential members of the government, clearly trusted by Trump.

In addition to serving as Secretary of State, Rubio also serves as National Security Advisor, making him the first person since Henry Kissinger to hold both positions simultaneously. Rubio also acts as Acting Director of the National Archives and Records Administration. From February to mid-August 2025, he also served as Acting Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development while overseeing its dissolution.

Beyond Trump's praise and multiple titles, Rubio's influence in the government is also reflected in the military actions taken in Latin America. His influence in the Russia-Ukraine negotiations has also been evident. Compared to Witkoff and Trump, who seem more trusting of Moscow's intentions, Rubio appears more skeptical of Russia, serving as a counterbalance. Despite the many uncertainties surrounding the Ukraine peace talks, Rubio remains at the center of related discussions.

Pete Hegseth

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has vowed to restore the "fighting spirit" of the military by focusing on increasing soldiers' killing capabilities. Hegseth has also tried to change his title to "Secretary of War" and hopes to rename the Department of Defense as the "War Department."

Hegseth's influence in this administration can also be seen through several major scandals he is involved in. The first scandal was the "SignalGate" incident in March 2025: Hegseth discussed a classified military plan against Houthi rebels in Yemen with other senior U.S. officials in a private messaging group, which accidentally included a journalist.

This Pentagon chief is also under scrutiny for an action taken on September 2, 2025, in the Caribbean Sea, targeting a ship suspected of drug trafficking.

J.D. Vance

Vice President J.D. Vance has become one of the voices in the government advocating for reduced U.S. generosity and protection in transatlantic relations, while also strongly promoting a tough anti-immigration policy both domestically and internationally. This aligns with his performance during his time as a senator.

At the beginning of Trump's second term, Vance publicly criticized visiting Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in the Oval Office, accusing him of not being grateful for the support the U.S. has given in the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In the early days of Trump's second term, Vance delivered a highly publicized speech at the Munich Security Conference, shocking Europe. In his speech, he accused long-standing European allies of accepting too many immigrants and failing to be inclusive towards increasingly rising right-wing populist parties.

Elbridge Colby

It is rare for a Deputy Secretary of Defense like Elbridge Colby to have such significant influence within just eight months of taking office. Part of this is due to his superior, Hegseth, who has little experience managing an organization as large as the Pentagon. Additionally, Hegseth has fired so many high-ranking generals that otherwise these generals might have countered Colby's influence at the Pentagon.

Before holding this position, Colby served as Assistant Secretary of Defense for Strategy in Trump's first administration, urging the U.S. to prioritize military resources in the Indo-Pacific region rather than Europe. Even so, the intensity with which Colby pushed his agenda, including unilaterally suspending certain arms shipments to Ukraine and re-evaluating the Australia-United Kingdom-United States Security Partnership, surprised many.

Stephen Miller

Although technically not holding an official foreign policy position in the government, as Chief of Staff to Trump and a loyal enforcer of the administration's comprehensive anti-immigration policies, Stephen Miller has a direct impact on bilateral relations between the U.S. and most countries with migrants coming to the U.S.

Miller has always been the representative of the government in cracking down on refugees, asylum seekers, seasonal laborers, especially undocumented migrant workers. In November 2025, after an Afghan man granted formal U.S. asylum shot two National Guard soldiers in Washington, Miller spoke forcefully, advocating for the termination of the policy allowing a large number of Afghan nationals to immigrate to the U.S. since the Taliban took control of Afghanistan in 2021.

Jared Kushner

Jared Kushner, Trump's son-in-law, is no longer in a central role in Trump's second administration as he was in the first, nor does he hold the formal position of "Special Advisor." However, in two major diplomatic negotiations in the Trump administration in 2025, Kushner appeared alongside Witkoff.

In early October 2025, he went to Israel to help finalize a 20-point Gaza peace agreement; then in November, he traveled alone to further negotiate with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In early December, Kushner and Witkoff held lengthy talks with Putin in Moscow, followed by reported two-hour calls with Zelenskyy, aiming to push forward ongoing efforts to end the Russia-Ukraine war.

Like Witkoff, Kushner is also facing questions about conflicts of interest in his business. His company has deals worth billions of dollars with Arab Gulf states, and his potential role in the post-Gaza reconstruction has also drawn attention.

Scott Bessette

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessette, like many of his predecessors, has become a key player in the foreign policy of this administration. His influence may further expand in the second year of Trump's second term.

Bessette has always been the main architect of Trump's trade wars. This role may seem surprising for a veteran Wall Street figure who has long maintained a rational skepticism toward tariffs and trade barriers; however, Bessette now claims to have recognized the wisdom of using higher import tariffs to pressure other countries.

Additionally, Bessette has played a key role in advancing U.S. governance strategies to serve Trump's political goals, most notably the rescue plan for an ideological ally in Argentina, an investment of hundreds of billions of dollars that could potentially yield returns.

The powerful U.S. treasury chief may have even greater influence in 2026. Trump still plans to reform the Federal Reserve, including appointing a new chairman. At present, domestic and foreign economic policies are gradually becoming the core of Trump's political agenda, and Bessette is expected to become the architect of both policy areas. (Translated by Tu Qi)

Original: toutiao.com/article/7597427940615307819/

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