Former NFL player and political candidate Herschel Walker, who was nominated by the Trump administration to be the US ambassador to The Bahamas, has pledged to work toward reducing China’s growing influence in the Caribbean and to take steps to reduce international narcotics smuggling.

Walker, who had lost his bid for a Georgia Senate seat in 2022 to Democrat Raphael Warnock, says he is ready to take up the position if he is confirmed — and he is pledging to hit the ground running like he did during his years as a storied running back in the NFL.

During Senate hearings in the past week, walker said having an American envoy in the archipelago just off Florida “is more important than ever.” He zoomed in on China’s growing investment portfolio in the region and of its increasingly strong links with regional governments and the private sector.

“China is trying to increase its influence in the region,” Walker said during the hearings. “It has built nearly a $3 billion deep water port in The Bahamas, and has made other moves that can threaten our national security. There is a rise in drug smuggling there in The Bahamas, and this is a real danger to the United States. The threat to American lives cannot be overstated. Tackling this serious problem requires leadership and cooperation between our governments. Through Operation Bahamas Turks and Caicos (OPBAT), the United States works collaboratively with the northern Caribbean to disrupt illegal trafficking. If confirmed, I will see that this initiative continues to be strong.”

In recent weeks, the US has signaled its discomfort with authorities allowing China’s Exim Bank to fund the construction of a major hospital in the capital. Reducing China’s footprint would be Walker’s first order of business, he told the hearing.

“Those of you who don’t know me personally must be wondering what qualifications I bring to the table that [will help] me serve as US ambassador to The Bahamas,” he said. “Throughout my life, many people have underestimated me in academics, athletics, and business. Now, I’ve always proved them wrong. I’ve done it through discipline, determination, and by outworking everyone in every task, large or small. No one has ever questioned my work ethic. If confirmed, I would apply the same work ethic to my role as ambassador of this country.”

Walker did pick up support among some senators, with Committee Chair Jim Risch reminding Walker and the room of the massive task that lies ahead.

“As China looks to increase its foothold in the Bahamas — through its operation of the Freeport Container Terminal, its outsized diplomatic presence, and Huawei’s near-monopoly of local telecom networks — we must push back.You have your work cut out for you,” he said.