Businessman George Glass, a former U.S. ambasador to Portugal, has been selected by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as envoy to Japan. (U.S. State Department)
TOKYO — President-elect Donald Trump announced Monday that he’s selected businessman George Glass to serve as the United States’ next ambassador to Japan.
Glass, who served as ambassador to Portugal during Trump’s first administration, would take over the post from current envoy Rahm Emanuel, provided he’s confirmed by the Senate.
“As a former President of an Investment Bank, George will bring his business acumen to the Ambassador’s position,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account Monday evening. “George graduated from the University of Oregon, served as Alumni President, and on its Board of Trustees. He will always PUT AMERICA FIRST. Congratulations George!”
Glass earned a modicum of notoriety during his time in Portugal for his hardline stance on China. Near the end of his tenure, local politicians spoke out after he told Portuguese newspaper Expresso the country had to choose between American “friends and allies” and Beijing as an “economic partner,” Reuters reported in September 2020.
He further described Portugal as part of a trade-based “battlefield” between Washington and Beijing, Portuguese newspaper Publico reported at the time.
Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva quickly responded to Glass’ comments and emphasized that Portugal’s elected officials make decisions based on the country’s interests within their legal boundaries.
“We decide based on our own options,” he said, according to Publico. “We are the ones who choose, and we have been choosing for a long time.”
Trump’s former ambassador to Japan, Sen. Bill Hagerty, R-Tenn., congratulated Glass on his selection in a Monday evening post to X and affirmed that he will “do a great job representing America’s interest in a vitally important region.”
Glass thanked Hagerty in response and added that he will have “big shoes to fill in after your success in Japan.”
Emanuel also congratulated Glass and offered his “full support during a seamless transition, as we continue to strengthen and shape the #USJapanAlliance to ensure a secure and stable #IndoPacific,” he wrote Tuesday on X.
Moving forward, Emanuel is considering running for chairman of the Democratic National Party, Axios reported Monday, citing three unnamed sources familiar with the matter.
