Foreign policy of the Joe Biden administration

This article is part of
a series about
Joe Biden
Personal
U.S. Senator from Delaware
47th Vice President of the United States
Vice presidential campaigns
46th President of the United States
Incumbent
Tenure
Policies
Appointments
Presidential campaigns
Joe Biden's signature
Seal of the President of the United States

The foreign policy of the Joe Biden administration emphasizes the repair of the United States' alliances, which Biden argues were damaged during the Trump administration.[1][2] The administration's goal is to restore the United States to a "position of trusted leadership" among global democracies in order to address challenges posed by Russia and China.[1][3][4][5] Both Biden and his Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin have repeatedly emphasized that no other world power should be able to surpass the United States, either militarily or economically.[6] Biden's foreign policy has been described as having ideological underpinnings in mid-twentieth century liberal internationalism, American exceptionalism, and pragmatism.[7][8]

Since assuming office, President Biden has sought to strengthen the transatlantic alliance between the U.S. and Europe.[1][4] He has reaffirmed the United States' commitment to the NATO alliance and collective security.[9] Additionally, Biden has reinstated the U.S. as a member of the Paris Climate Agreement[5] and has implemented other measures to address climate change.[10][11][12] The administration places great emphasis on international cooperation in combating the COVID-19 pandemic,[1][13] as well as bolstering U.S. defenses against foreign-sponsored cyberattacks, cyber espionage,[14][15][16] and trade and industrial policy competition.[17][18]

Biden's extensive experience in foreign affairs includes serving as the chairman or ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for twelve years. He also played a significant role in shaping foreign policy during the Obama presidency.[19][20] The Biden administration continues to uphold policies that enjoy bipartisan consensus, particularly those related to competition with China and the reduction of U.S. military presence in the Greater Middle East.[21][22]

Key advisors in Biden's U.S. foreign policy team include Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.[23] Biden has received a mixed reception for his response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, receiving praise for his support of Ukraine and NATO and criticism for his vague aims in the conflict and limitations in assistance to Ukraine.[24][25][26][27] Critics have faulted him for a perceived mismatch between his objectives and the resources allocated for defense budgets, trade policies, stability in the Middle East, and the promotion of human rights.[28]

  1. ^ a b c d Madhani, Aamer (February 19, 2021). "Biden declares 'America is back' in welcome words to allies". Associated Press. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  2. ^ Stewart, Phil; Ali, Idrees; Emmott, Robin (February 15, 2021). "In NATO debut, Biden's Pentagon aims to rebuild trust damaged by Trump". Reuters. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  3. ^ Sonne, Paul (December 9, 2020). "To counter China and Russia, Biden has said he will strengthen alliances". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Around the halls: Brookings experts analyze President Biden's first foreign policy speech, Brookings Institution (February 5, 2021).
  5. ^ a b Sanger, David E.; Erlanger, Steven; Cohen, Roger (February 19, 2021). "Biden Tells Allies 'America Is Back,' but Macron and Merkel Push Back". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  6. ^ Gärtner, Heinz (2023). "Great Power Conflict". China and Eurasian powers in a Multipolar World Order 2.0: Security, Diplomacy, Economy and Cyberspace. Mher Sahakyan. New York: Routledge. pp. xxiii. ISBN 978-1-003-35258-7. OCLC 1353290533.
  7. ^ Ettinger, Aaron (April 2, 2021). "Rumors of restoration: Joe Biden's foreign policy and what it means for Canada". Canadian Foreign Policy Journal. 27 (2): 157–174. doi:10.1080/11926422.2021.1899005. Biden's worldview is rooted in mid-twentieth century liberal internationalism, American exceptionalism, and pragmatism.
  8. ^ Wong, Edward (September 6, 2022). "Biden Puts Defense of Democracy at Center of Agenda, at Home and Abroad". The New York Times. ISSN 1553-8095. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
  9. ^ Macias, Amanda (February 19, 2021). "'An attack on one is an attack on all' — Biden backs NATO military alliance in sharp contrast to Trump". CNBC. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  10. ^ Sengupta, Somini (February 2, 2021). "How Biden's Climate Ambitions Could Shift America's Global Footprint". The New York Times. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  11. ^ "America's Landmark Climate Law". IMF. December 1, 2022. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  12. ^ McGinn, Anna (October 18, 2022). "What the Inflation Reduction Act Means for U.S. Engagement at the U.N. Climate Talks - Article". Environmental and Energy Study Institute. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  13. ^ Madhani, Aamer (February 19, 2021). "Biden rolling out plan for $4 billion global vaccine effort". Associated Press. Retrieved June 15, 2021.
  14. ^ Sanzeri, Skip (January 25, 2023). "Council Post: What The Quantum Computing Cybersecurity Preparedness Act Means For National Security". Forbes. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  15. ^ Riley, Tonya (February 18, 2021). "The Cybersecurity 202: Investigations into Russian, North Korean hackers are shaping Biden's foreign policy". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  16. ^ Bing, Christopher; Menn, Joseph (January 22, 2021). "After big hack of U.S. government, Biden enlists 'world class' cybersecurity team". Reuters. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  17. ^ Shi, Jiachen (March 9, 2023). "Conflicting Economic Ideologies May Impact Future China Policy in the US". The Diplomat. Diplomat Media. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  18. ^ Agrawal, Ravi (March 2, 2023). "The White House's Case for Industrial Policy". Foreign Policy. Graham Digital Holding Company. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
  19. ^ "Joe Biden: A life in government". The News Journal.
  20. ^ Traub, James (October 10, 2012). "The Biden Doctrine". Foreign Policy.
  21. ^ Wong, Edward (July 24, 2022). "On U.S. Foreign Policy, the New Boss Acts a Lot Like the Old One". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  22. ^ Maitra, Sumantra (October 6, 2021). "Why Biden's Foreign Policy Looks so Similar to Trump's". The National Interest. Retrieved March 31, 2023.
  23. ^ "Blinken, Austin, Sullivan: President Biden's men handling the Ukraine response". Le Monde.fr. May 6, 2022. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  24. ^ Cite error: The named reference fpoct12 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  25. ^ Cite error: The named reference fpmay9 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  26. ^ Cite error: The named reference timeDec18 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  27. ^ Jakes, Lara; Erlanger, Steven (July 12, 2023). "Russia-Ukraine War: 'We Will Not Waver': Biden Affirms Support for Ukraine After NATO Summit". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  28. ^ "Biden's Midterm Report Card". Foreign Policy. January 19, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.