US Diplomacy at a Crossroads... 'Restoring Alliance Diplomacy vs. Trump-Style Deal-Making'

Trump Compares Normal Diplomacy to Chess
Biden Advocates Restoring Alliance-Centered Diplomacy

[Asia Economy Reporter Naju-seok] Restoration of alliance-centered diplomacy or maintenance of the current line centered on summit diplomacy. Two visions have been presented regarding the U.S. foreign policy, which is less than three months away. It is also expected that the form of diplomacy the United States, which has maintained global hegemony, will pursue in the future will change depending on the outcome of this presidential election.

President Donald Trump of the United States [Image source=Yonhap News]

On the 20th (local time), U.S. President Donald Trump described North Korean State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un and others as chess masters in an interview with Fox News, claiming that Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden would not be able to properly deal with them. He said, "You (the person who becomes president) deal with people like President Xi, President Putin, President Erdogan, and Chairman Kim," adding, "They are very sharp and at the top level of the game. If you are not at the highest level of the game when dealing with them, it won't be a pretty picture."

President Trump has pursued a diplomatic policy based on direct negotiations between heads of state. For example, in talks with Chairman Kim, there was a break from the usual summit communication style where major agreements are made after working-level meetings reach consensus. In particular, President Trump showed a preference for negotiations with dictators rather than traditional allies.

The Fox News interview highlighted that Biden is not the right person for summit meetings, but underlying President Trump's thinking was the recognition that direct negotiations between leaders are the core of diplomacy. He has often compared meetings with world leaders to chess.

In fact, he said, "If you (the president) are not a chess master, there will be problems," and added, "We don't think he (Biden) is."

Candidate Biden advocated for the restoration of traditional diplomacy centered on alliances. In his acceptance speech for the presidential nomination at the Chase Center in Wilmington, Delaware, he said, "I will be a president who stands with allies and friends," and "I will make it clear to our enemies that the days of appeasing dictators are over."

Joe Biden, Democratic Party Presidential Candidate [Image Source=AP Yonhap News]

Officials from Biden’s camp also expected that the U.S. diplomatic approach would shift to emphasize working-level meetings rather than summit meetings. It is anticipated that methods like exchanging letters or seeking consensus through summits, as President Trump did, will become increasingly rare.

So far, President Trump has engaged in tug-of-war over defense cost issues with NATO member countries in Europe, as well as South Korea and Japan. Because of this, there have been criticisms that the existing U.S. alliance structure is being completely overturned. Biden’s emphasis on alliance-centered diplomacy is interpreted as a desire to restore traditional relationships with the rear.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.