Throughout the presidential elections, we’ve heard a lot about Biden’s plans for domestic reform. We’ve heard about how he will handle COVID, systemic racism, and the economy. However, what we haven’t heard that much about is how he will mend relationships damaged by Trump and strengthen relationships already in place. Firstly, I want to take a look at China. Biden states that he would mount a more effective pushback against China than Trump and work more closely with allies to pressure Beijing. He argued that Trump’s broad tariffs are “erratic” and “self-defeating,” and he instead calls for targeted retaliation against China using existing trade laws and building a united front of allies. He warns that China is making massive investments in energy, infrastructure, and technology that threaten to leave the United States behind. Furthermore, Biden wishes to increase the presence of the United States Naval Force in the Asia-Pacific to present a united force against China’s “high-tech authoritarianism”.
Another country whose relationship has been questioned under the Trump administration is North Korea. Biden stated that Trump’s dealings with Kim Jong-Un have proved to be inefficient and only served to “legitimize a dictator”. Moreover,Biden will continue to support negotiations but says they would depend on Kim Jong-Un taking concrete steps toward dismantling his nuclear program, with a final goal of a fully denuclearized North Korea. As of right now, North Korea has made no efforts to remove any form of nuclear weaponry and we are also unaware of Kim Jong-Un’s position with President-elect Biden.
Finally, an issue that has been heavily publicized and demonized in the media during the past four years that we hope to see Biden participate in, is immigration. As with other issues, Biden has condemned Trump’s approach to immigration. Under Trump, immigration, particularly from Mexico has been publicized as the migration of thugs and criminals into the United States. Biden supports comprehensive immigration reform and has in the past backed more restrictionist policies. He emphasizes the need to address the root causes of immigration in the countries of origin, rather than just turn away refugees and people in need of help.