By Elishya Perera
WASHINGTON (CU)_US President Joe Biden in his first diplomatic address on Thursday (Feb 4), declared “America is back” on the global stage, promising a new era after the chaotic foreign policy of his predecessor Donald Trump.
During his tenure, the former President angered European and Asian leaders with tariffs, abandoned US allies, fractured global alliances, and threatened to withdraw US troops.
His last few weeks in office were governed by the mob attack in the US Capitol on January 6, inspired by Trump’s refusal to accept defeat in the Presidential election held in November, which raised doubts in foreign allies and rivals alike, regarding the health of American democracy.
However, in his speech on Thursday, President Biden attempted to quash those doubts and convince Americans of the value of a diplomatic international approach.
“Investing in our diplomacy isn’t something we do just because it’s the right thing to do for the world,” he said. “We do it in order to live in peace, security and prosperity. We do it because it’s in our own naked self-interest.”
In his early days, President Biden has attempted to repair America’s standing in the world, which he says was damaged by Trump, and used his first day in office to sign executive orders that reverse decisions of the Trump administration, including the withdrawal of the United States from the World Health Organisation and the Paris climate accords, while the President Biden has also been working to revive the Iran deal.
“American alliances are our greatest asset. And leading with diplomacy means standing shoulder to shoulder with our allies and key partners once again,” he said.
However, on the other hand, the US President signalled aggressive approaches towards China and Russia, while he also declared an end to US support for the Saudi Arabia-led military offensive in Yemen, and urged Myanmar’s military leaders to halt their recent coup.
China, which is expanding its political, military and economic influence around the world, dealt with a diplomatic row with the Trump administration in its latter stages. Although President Biden identified the East Asian superpower as America’s “most serious competitor”, however, he also expressed his willingness to work with Beijing for the interests of his countries.
“We’ll confront China’s economic abuses, counter its aggressive, coercive action to push back on China’s attack on human rights, intellectual property and global governance. But we’re ready to work with Beijing when it’s in America’s interest to do so,” he said.
The US President also challenged President Vladimir Putin, saying he wished to approach Russia in a manner which is different to that of the previous administration.
“I made it clear to President Putin, in a manner very different from my predecessor, that the days of the United States rolling over in the face of Russia’s aggressive actions, interfering with our elections, cyberattacks, poisoning its citizens, are over,” President Biden said.
In his big diplomatic address delivered in the US State Department, the President not only unveiled policy changes and fulfilled his campaign promises, but also to realigned the country’s foreign policy and reasserted US global leadership.
“We are a country that does big things,” he noted. “American diplomacy makes it happen and our administration is ready to take up the mantle and lead once again.”
