[Biden Victory] A Diplomat to the Bone... Restoring 'Alliances' Shaken During the Trump Era (Comprehensive)

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Joselgina] "The first thing Democratic candidate Joe Biden will do if he becomes the President of the United States is to call leaders of various countries and say, 'America is back. Please trust us.' (Washington Post (WP))"

Biden, who is regarded as a diplomat to the core, is expected to accelerate the restoration of alliances damaged by President Donald Trump's 'unilateralism' diplomacy over the past four years. It is anticipated that he will first rejoin multilateral treaties that Trump withdrew from one after another, thereby rebuilding the global multilateral cooperation system and demonstrating America's leadership worldwide.

"Rejoining the Paris Agreement on Inauguration Day" Declaration to Return to Multilateral Treaties

According to major foreign media on the 7th (local time), Biden officially announced his return to the Paris Climate Change Agreement, stating that he would "rejoin the agreement within 77 days" as soon as he gained the upper hand in the vote count of the November 3 presidential election. The 77 days he mentioned is the time remaining until January 20 next year, when the U.S. presidential inauguration will take place. This was a symbolic message declaring the restoration of America's role and status as a leader in the international community. The Paris Climate Agreement was concluded in 2015 under U.S. leadership, but President Trump declared withdrawal just five months after his inauguration, which took effect on the 4th of this month. If Biden submits the related documents to the Paris Agreement Secretariat through an executive order to rejoin, the official return will occur 30 days later.

Biden has also expressed his intention to rejoin the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), from which President Trump signed a withdrawal executive order shortly after his inauguration in 2017. There is also a high possibility of returning to the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) on the premise of Iran's return. He has long supported the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which President Trump publicly criticized. Other multilateral treaties from which Trump declared withdrawal include UNESCO, the Iran nuclear deal, the United Nations Human Rights Council, the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF), the Open Skies Treaty (OST), and the World Health Organization (WHO). Many of these withdrawal procedures have been completed, and some are in progress after notification.

Biden, who is regarded as a multilateralist, has criticized Trump's unilateral approach as damaging to U.S. leadership and national interests. Major foreign media expect that unlike the Trump era, which suffered discord to the extent that joint declarations were difficult to announce, the Biden era will see the restoration of alliances and a reduction in friction between countries.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

This return to multilateral treaties is expected to be a signal to reestablish alliances with major countries that had deteriorated over the past four years. A representative scene symbolizing Trump-driven isolationism was the G7 meeting held in Canada in June 2018. The photo showing German Chancellor Angela Merkel standing with a stern expression and hands on the table, French President Emmanuel Macron frowning, and other major leaders sitting with arms crossed facing President Trump was widely regarded as encapsulating the G7's fracture due to the U.S.-initiated tariff war.

Local media evaluated that the so-called "Atlantic alliance," centered on Western European countries such as France and Germany, which had clashed over major issues like multilateralism, climate change, international trade, and NATO, will be restored.

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, the executive branch of the European Union (EU), said in a statement that day, "The EU and the United States are friends and allies, and our citizens share the deepest bonds," adding, "We are ready to strengthen cooperation to address the urgent challenges we face." Charles Michel, President of the European Council, also mentioned, "COVID-19, multilateralism, climate change, and international trade are some of the challenges Europe hopes to solve together."

Along with the renewed push for multilateral trade agreements, international cooperation to respond to COVID-19 is also expected to be strengthened.

Changes Expected in the 'Powder Keg' Middle East Situation... Checks on Russia and China

If Biden takes office, changes are expected in the Middle East situation, often called a powder keg. A particularly notable issue expected to differ significantly from the Trump era is the relationship between the U.S. and Iran. President Trump declared withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018 and increased sanctions on Iran. He also supported Israel and Saudi Arabia, who oppose Iran, leading to extremely deteriorated relations between the two sides.

Unlike Trump, Biden is expected to handle Middle East issues with a focus on diplomatic solutions. Biden, who has long served as a foreign affairs committee member in the U.S. Senate and is known as a 'diplomatic expert,' has publicly criticized Trump's Iran policy as a "dangerous failure." If the Biden administration returns to the Iran nuclear deal on the premise of Iran's return and eases sanctions on Iran, tensions in the Middle East are expected to decrease significantly.

With Trump, who pursued an overtly pro-Israel policy, stepping down, the long-standing Middle East issue of the "Israel-Palestine conflict" is also expected to reach a turning point. Upon the news of Biden's election, Israel remained silent while Palestine cheered. Bloomberg reported, "Israel was the biggest political beneficiary of Trump's foreign policy."

Local media expect that Biden will not close the U.S. embassy established in Jerusalem but will seek dialogue with the Palestinian Authority, focusing on resolving the conflict through negotiations. Economic and humanitarian aid to Palestine is also expected to be restored. Previously, the Palestinian Authority had refused dialogue with the U.S. since Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital in December 2017.

Regarding relations with China, selective pressure is expected. Biden has expressed negative views on the tariff bombs imposed on China by Trump but has also emphasized the need to correct unfair trade practices with China. This is why many expect the trade war to continue even after the administration changes.

Major foreign media believe Biden is likely to strengthen relations with allies such as South Korea, Japan, and Australia to pressure China through allied solidarity. They also expect a tougher stance on issues like environment and human rights. While firmly responding to territorial disputes in the South China Sea and human rights and democracy suppression in Hong Kong, Biden is expected to broaden diplomatic efforts on issues requiring multilateral cooperation.

Additionally, in relations with Russia, Biden is expected to adopt a strategy of improving ties with NATO member countries and other Atlantic allies to curb Russia's international influence.

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