Before meeting in Zurich – China is Biden’s biggest foreign policy challenge – News
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Today there is a meeting between China and the USA in Zurich. Relations between the two countries are tense.
This Wednesday the USA and China will meet in Zurich at a high diplomatic level. Jake Sullivan, security advisor to US President Joe Biden, and China’s top diplomat Yang Jiechi are said to be looking for ways to prevent tensions between the two countries from rising. The meeting is also urgently needed.
Because for Biden, the economically and militarily emerging China is the central foreign policy challenge. At the beginning of his term in office, the US president reversed some of his predecessor’s foreign policy positions. As for China, he has maintained the tough stance of his predecessor Donald Trump.
“Very tough competition” with China
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken used clear words at a meeting with Chinese diplomats in Alaska in February. They want to compete with China where necessary and act in partnership where possible. However, there are also points where the relationship with China could be hostile.
Biden later specified that they were not aiming for confrontation. But expect a “very tough competition”. This competition also influences Biden’s economic and domestic policy. The president is aiming for multi-billion dollar investment programs. Last but not least, this should also make the country fit for competition with China.
More collaboration with allies
Biden is countering Beijing’s common threatening gestures in the South China Sea by intensifying cooperation with allies such as Australia, Japan and India. The delivery of nuclear powered submarines to Australia is an expression of this approach.
In terms of trade policy, the Biden government will maintain the high tariffs on Chinese goods policy. The fact that trade representative Katherine Tai is further fueling the trade dispute with China on Monday wool does not change that.
It is true that the Biden government is more polite in tone to China than that of its predecessors. But in the matter of fact she is at least as tough. That should also be shown at the meeting in Zurich.