A lack of continuity in the US’ foreign policy approach to China risks leaving the fraught relationship “increasingly vulnerable to deterioration” as Donald Trump returns to the White House, according to observers.
Advertisement
They said inconsistent and often conflicting views from American policymakers and China watchers revealed deep divisions over how to deal with Beijing, despite a bipartisan consensus on the need to confront the Asian rival.
Delivering his final foreign policy speech on January 13, now ex-president Joe Biden sought to defend his legacy, declaring: “We’re in a better strategic position in the long-term competition with China than we were when I took office [in 2021].”
Among his successes, Biden listed his alliance-based approach to competing “vigorously” with China while ensuring ties “never tipped over into conflict”.
China would “never surpass” the US economically, he claimed, citing “the latest predictions on China’s current course”.
02:43
Biden says China ‘will never surpass us’, in farewell message a week before leaving office
Biden says China ‘will never surpass us’, in farewell message a week before leaving office
Two days later, senator Marco Rubio, now Trump’s secretary of state, countered Biden’s assertion that America’s adversaries and competitors, including China, were “weaker” due to his foreign policy successes.
Advertisement