Donald Trump taps Jacob Helberg as under secretary of state for economic growth, energy, and environment

US President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Jacob Helberg to be the next under secretary of state for economic growth, energy, and the environment. Trump made the announcement on his Truth social media account.
Trump said, “Jacob will be a champion of our America First Foreign Policy. He will guide State Department policy on Economic statecraft, promoting America’s Economic security and growth, and American technological dominance abroad. Jacob is a successful technology executive, has the knowledge, expertise, and pragmatism to defend America’s Economic interests abroad, and always puts AMERICA FIRST!.”
Helberg will be the primary advisor to the secretary of state on international economic policy. His responsibilities will include guiding State Department policy on economic matters, promoting US economic security and growth, and advancing American technology abroad.
Currently a senior advisor at defense contractor Palantir, Helberg has been a vocal advocate for a tougher US stance against China, especially concerning technology. He founded the Hill and Valley Forum in 2023, a group connecting venture capitalists and lawmakers focused on China’s influence on the US tech industry. He also actively supported the 2024 law to ban TikTok unless its Chinese parent company, ByteDance, sells it. He also worked with the US-China economic and security review commission.
Helberg’s previous political engagement includes donating to Trump’s 2024 campaign and supporting Pete Buttigieg’s 2020 presidential bid. While his connection to Palantir might be examined during Senate confirmation, he isn’t expected to face much resistance, particularly from Republicans.