Biden: "Alliance Coalition Needed to Contain China"

"Restoring Foreign Policy Is an Urgent Task"
Speech After Listening to the Transition Committee's Report on Diplomacy and Security
Growing Possibility of Forming an Anti-China Alliance
No Mention of North Korea Again

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] President-elect Joe Biden of the United States has emphasized the importance of alliances for competition with China. It is expected that pressure will increase on allied countries to join an anti-China coalition after the Biden administration takes office. Biden did not mention issues related to North Korea and Iran, suggesting that these matters may be deprioritized.

On the 28th (local time), Biden gave a speech after receiving a national security briefing from the transition team, addressing the direction of foreign policy.

Biden stated, "Rewriting foreign policy is a major challenge for the new administration," emphasizing that China is at the center of his foreign policy. He asserted, "Our position will be stronger when we build coalitions with like-minded partners and allies to compete with China and hold the Chinese government accountable for trade abuses, technology, human rights, and more."

He continued, "Although we make up nearly 25% of the international economy, together with democratic partners, our economic leverage will be more than doubled."

This is essentially a forecast that the Democracy Summit, which Biden is promoting, will lead to an anti-China coalition. Although Biden included the Democracy Summit in his campaign promises, he had not made specific references to linking it with China.

Biden also emphasized, "In any matter related to US-China relations, we will be stronger and more effective when surrounded by countries that share our vision for the future of the world."

Specifically, Biden cited the following as key agenda items in the conflict with China: ▲ pursuing a foreign policy for the middle class that includes American workers, intellectual property rights, and environmental protection ▲ ensuring prosperity and security in the Indo-Pacific region ▲ advocating for human rights.

He characterized the current situation as a leadership vacuum for the United States and reminded that global trust and confidence must be restored.

Based on these remarks, it is anticipated that the Biden administration will actively push allied countries to participate in pressure against China. Although Biden did not mention specific allies to cooperate with, it is expected that serious pressure will begin after the new administration takes office.

In his speech, Biden also referred to the recent Russian hacking incident and mentioned the need for countermeasures, but he did not mention North Korea.

Unlike previous US presidents-elect who emphasized the importance of resolving the North Korean nuclear issue, Biden has not mentioned North Korea since his election.

Meanwhile, Biden strongly criticized the Trump administration’s lack of cooperation, stating that the transition team has not been granted access to information from the Department of Defense and the White House Office of Management and Budget.

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