January 28, 2021
Why Biden won’t reset on China
In the run-up to the US presidential election, many observers either hoped for or feared a reset of relations with China. Ties with Beijing were remarkably tense during the Trump administration, and the Biden team spoke about possible co-operation with Beijing on climate change, pandemics and more.
Should the world, already tossed to and fro by four years of foreign policy unpredictability, now steel itself for another lurching change of direction on China?
The Biden administration is not just breaking with Trump, but with all the Republican and Democrat administrations that came before.
It is still very early days for the Biden administration, and its approach to America’s greatest strategic challenge will take months to flesh out. But early signals suggest a policy that is firmer than many anticipated, focused on promoting universal values alongside US interests, and rooted in strong relationships with allies and partners. No reset is in the offing.
Read the full article from The Australian Financial Review.
More from CNAS
-
Commentary
Indo-Pacific Security / Technology & National Security
Trump’s Crackdown on Foreign Students Is a Gift to ChinaWhen top global talent no longer sees America as a stable, long-term bet — in light of both visa and research funding insecurity — many will vote with their feet....
By Jordan Schneider
-
Assessing China’s Nuclear Decision-Making
Reports
China’s rapid nuclear buildup is raising questions about how the country makes decisions related to nuclear weapons. This policy brief analyzes that trend by presenting three ...
By Jacob Stokes
-
Articulate a Comprehensive, Coherent China Strategy
Commentary
President Trump should articulate a comprehensive, coherent China strategy that addresses U.S. objectives, the ways and means to achieve them, and how the strategy can mitigat...
By Jacob Stokes
-
Commentary
Indo-Pacific Security / Transatlantic Security / Middle East Security
Sharper: Axis of UpheavalA loose but growing coalition between Russia, China, Iran, and North Korea demonstrates that their combined strategic interests have the potential to pose significant economic...
By Anna Pederson
