Will Trump’s China policy become more unpredictable after security shake-up?

Donald Trump’s shake-up of the US National Security Council may be a sign he is increasingly relying on his instinct over expert advice, potentially increasing the unpredictability in Washington’s approach to China, diplomatic observers have said.

The shake-up could also be “bad news” for Taiwan, which may find it harder to speak to key people in the White House, they added.

The White House dismissed around 100 staff from the council last week – many from the China team – as part of Trump’s wider overhaul of the federal government.

The NSC swelled to over 300 staff under Joe Biden, but Trump’s eventual goal is to reduce it to 50.

Earlier this month national security adviser Mike Waltz was removed from his post after sharing classified information through the messaging app Signal and reportedly disagreeing with Trump over some aspects of foreign policy.

Alex Wong, another known China hawk and former deputy national security adviser, has also been reassigned to another role, according to The Washington Post.