By Karen Freifeld

(Reuters) – Corey Stewart, an ardent supporter of President Donald Trump, has been named to a newly created senior publish on the U.S. Division of Commerce, the place he can assist push via hardline insurance policies on China earlier than the top of the administration, based on individuals accustomed to the matter.

The Trump administration has signaled it intends to proceed efforts to beef up restrictions on China, regardless of Trump’s brief time left in workplace. Stewart’s appointment is anticipated for use to bolster the more durable insurance policies, the sources stated.

Stewart, a world commerce lawyer who misplaced a 2018 U.S. Senate race in Virginia, will probably be performing as principal deputy assistant secretary for export administration, the sources stated.

A Commerce spokesman declined to touch upon personnel issues, and a White Home consultant declined remark. Stewart additionally declined to remark.

Stewart was introduced in by the Presidential Personnel Workplace, the sources stated. The workplace is headed by John McEntee who was tasked by Trump with making certain loyalty amongst senior aides at Cupboard companies.

Stewart is anticipated to serve within the new function till the top of the Trump administration on Jan. 20.

Stewart’s publish is above Matthew Borman, deputy assistant secretary for export administration. Richard Ashooh, who had served as U.S. assistant secretary for export administration for many of the Trump administration, resigned in July. Ashooh was often known as a moderating voice on China points.

William Reinsch, a former Commerce undersecretary, stated he considered Stewart’s hiring as “peculiar” since he’s filling a place that doesn’t exist.

Reinsch additionally stated the aim of Stewart’s hiring was unclear.

“There have been rumors for a number of months that the president intends to take more durable actions towards China,” stated Reinsch. “He is by no means been clear about what these is perhaps. Bringing Mr. Stewart on might be a sign he intends to maneuver, however there is no indication what he intends to do.”

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Stewart ran in 2018 in Virginia towards Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, whose marketing campaign described him as “a cruder imitation of Donald Trump who stokes white supremacy.”

He appeared at a February 2017 occasion with Jason Kessler, who helped manage the white supremacist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, in August of that yr. Stewart later stated he didn’t know who Kessler was when he appeared with him and that he disavows racism.

Stewart can also be an outspoken critic of unlawful immigration and opposes the removing of Accomplice monuments.

Republican Trump has refused to just accept the outcomes of the presidential election he misplaced to Democratic former Vice President Joe Biden, and has launched a collection of authorized challenges primarily based on unsubstantiated claims of voter fraud.

(Reporting by Karen Freifeld in New York; Further reporting by Alex Alper in Washington; Enhancing by Chris Sanders and Matthew Lewis)