Trump National Security Advisor on Chinese Hacking: "Unacceptable... Will Impose Greater Costs"

"Cost Imposition"... Sanctions Against China Announced
On Ukraine War: "Continued Dialogue... Trump Concerns"
US Troop Withdrawal from Syria: "ISIS Containment is Top Priority"

Mike Waltz, a U.S. Congressman selected by President-elect Donald Trump as the next White House National Security Advisor, called China's hacking of U.S. infrastructure "completely unacceptable" and promised stronger measures.

In a video interview with CBS News on the 15th (local time), Waltz said, "We need to impose higher costs and consequences on both private and state actors who are attacking, stealing data, and conducting surveillance."

Mike Waltz, U.S. Representative, appointed as National Security Advisor in the second term of the Donald Trump administration. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Waltz referred to the hacking group 'Volt Typhoon,' believed to be backed by China, saying, "They are literally planting cyber time bombs in our infrastructure, water systems, power grids, and even ports," adding, "This is completely unacceptable. We need to take a stronger stance." He also emphasized that President-elect Trump shares this view.

He continued that immediately after Trump's inauguration, "We will look at taking a different approach in the cyber domain, reviewing doctrine, and starting to impose costs on adversaries to stop these activities." This statement can be interpreted as a sign of more aggressive sanctions against China.

Earlier, President-elect Trump invited Chinese President Xi Jinping to his inauguration. When asked if he intended to communicate directly regarding this, Waltz said, "As you know, President Trump takes all calls and values relationships with allies and adversaries at the national leader level," but added, "Such conversations are ongoing but have not gone beyond expressions of congratulations and courtesy."

Regarding the war in Ukraine, Waltz described it as a "World War I-style conflict," stating, "President-elect Trump is very concerned about the ongoing massacre. We need to stop the fighting." He added, "If the first step is a ceasefire, we will carefully examine its meaning, but we will cooperate with the current administration until January 20 of next year."

When asked if Trump had sent a (ceasefire) message to Russian President Vladimir Putin through Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orb?n, Waltz replied, "I won't speak specifically," but said, "We will continue dialogue, and President Trump has made it clear he wants to stop this war."

He then criticized the Biden administration's strategy for supporting Ukraine, pointing out, "President-elect Trump said in an interview with Time magazine that a 'blank check' is not a strategy for ending the war."

When asked whether U.S. troops would remain stationed in Syria, Waltz said, "Our top priority is to suppress ISIS (the U.S. military's term for the Islamic State)," adding, "We must not allow ISIS to explode again and threaten Iraq, Jordan, Turkey, and Europe, or to create a caliphate (Islamic theocratic state) that incites terrorism against the U.S. as it did in 2014."

Regarding recent reports of unidentified drones appearing in New Jersey and New York City, Waltz said, "The Department of Defense is focused on bombers and cruise missiles, which highlights a gap in our capabilities and enforcement regarding what is happening here," adding, "This must be thoroughly investigated, and I believe the Biden administration is working to do so."

Waltz mentioned that Picatinny Arsenal is located in New Jersey, as well as President-elect Trump's Bedminster Golf Club, stating, "We need to find out who is behind this. Since it could come from overseas, homeland defense must be closely examined." He added, "President Trump has talked about America's Iron Dome (air defense system), and this should include not only enemy hypersonic missiles but also drones."