Foreign policy of the Joe Biden administration

This article is part of a series about Joe Biden
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The foreign policy of the Joe Biden administration emphasizes repairing the U.S.'s alliances, which Biden says have been damaged under the Trump administration,^[1][2] and returning the U.S. to a "position of trusted leadership" among world democracies to counter challenges from Russia and China.^[1][3][4][5] As president, Biden has sought to strengthen the transatlantic alliance between the U.S. and Europe,^[1][4] and he recommitted the U.S. to the NATO alliance and collective security.^[6] Biden returned the U.S. to the Paris Climate Agreement^[5] and has taken other steps to combat climate change.^[7] His administration emphasizes international cooperation to combat the COVID-19 pandemic,^[1][8] as well as U.S. defenses against foreign-sponsored cyberattacks and cyberespionage.^[9][10]

Biden was the chairman or ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for twelve years and was influential in foreign affairs during the Obama presidency.^[11][12]

The Americas[]

Canada[]

Biden's first foreign leader call was with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on January 22, 2021. The call followed Biden's announcement of the cancellation of the Keystone Pipeline. Biden explained that he was following through on a campaign promise and restoring a decision made by the former Obama administration while acknowledging that the decision will cause hardship to Canada.^[13] Issues discussed included the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery therein, climate change and environmental issues, NATO, Indigenous issues and other international relations.^[13] In her first briefing, White House Secretary Psaki noted focus on foreign relations would be with friends and allies of the United States saying: "I would expect his early calls will be with partners and allies. He feels it's important to rebuild those relationships."^[14]

Biden held his first bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Trudeau on February 23, 2021, virtually.^[15] Issues discussed were COVID-19, climate change, detention of the Two Michaels in China, the future of NORAD, systemic racism and gender equality.^[16][17][18]

Central America[]

Nicaragua[]

The Biden Administration has continued the American policy of support for Nicaraguan civil society groups, human rights, and free elections against a government accused of human rights violations, political suppression, and corruption.^[19] An extremely controversial attempt by longtime Nicaraguan Sandinista President Daniel Ortega to cut social benefits^[20] led to widespread protests and a crackdown against opposition politicians, protesters, and press condemned by an Inter-American Commission on Human Rights task force and the Organization of American States as involving crimes against humanity and violations of human rights.^[21][22]

The Administration has expressed "[deep] concern about the escalating crackdown" and called for Ortega to reverse course. In a June 22, 2021 United Nations Human Rights Council meeting, the United States joined 58 other countries to call for the release of jailed presidential candidates and dissidents and rehabilitation of Nicaraguan democracy. On July 12, 2021, the State Department imposed visa restrictions on 100 Nicaraguan legislature and judiciary accused of enabling "attacks on democracy and human rights" by Ortega and Murillo, Ortega's wife and Vice President.^[23][24] Biden's FY2022 budget request included $15 million of aid for Nicaragua, all of which will be directed towards democracy and rights programs.^[22] On August 6, 2021, the State Department placed visa restrictions on 50 immediate family members of Nicaraguan officials accused of benefiting from Ortega's regime;^[25] this came amidst an upcoming November 2021 election in which many opposition candidates have been arrested or barred from running.^[26]

Several bills proposed by the 117th Congress concern US relations with Nicaragua, particularly with regards to Nicaraguan democracy and respect for human rights.^[22]

Northern Triangle[]

The Northern Triangle refers to the three Central American countries of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala, usually in reference to the nations' poverty, political instability, and crime/violence as motivating factors of their residents' legal and illegal immigration to the United States.^[27]

Mexican President López Obrador said that President Biden has pledged $4 billion for development in Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala.^[28] Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on February 6 that agreements with those three countries to send asylum-seekers back to those countries until their cases were heard were suspended.^[29]

Vice President Kamala Harris visited Guatemala as part of her first foreign trip in office. In Guatemala City, Harris held a joint press conference with Guatemalan President Alejandro Giammattei where she issued an appeal to potential migrants, stating "I want to be clear to folks in the region who are thinking about making that dangerous trek to the United States-Mexico border: Do not come. Do not come."^[30]

Mexico[]

President Biden speaks with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador in the Oval Office

Biden had a call with Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador on January 22, 2021. On the call they spoke of issues such as regionality and regional migration, reducing immigration across the Mexico–United States border by targeting the root cause, increasing resettlement capacity, providing legal alternative for immigration pathways, improving the treatment of immigrants at the border, adequate arbitration of requests for asylum, reversal of the Trump administration's immigration policies, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Obrador said the call was "pleasant and respectful" and that relations between Mexico and the United States would improve in the future.^[31][32][33]

Biden held his bilateral meeting with President Obrador on March 1, 2021, virtually.^{[citation needed]}

South America[]

With respect to the crisis in Venezuela, Biden retained a hard-line approach, continuing to recognize opposition leader Juan Guaidó as the legitimate president of Venezuela and declining to directly negotiate with President Nicolás Maduro.^[34][35] The U.S. State Department emphasized that "Maduro is a dictator" and that the regime's repression and corruption created a humanitarian catastrophe.^[34] The administration indicated that it would not rush to lift U.S. sanctions on Venezuela, but would consider easing sanctions if Maduro takes took "serious steps" to negotiate seriously with the opposition.^[35] The administration continued support for humanitarian aid to Venezuela.^[35] In early March 2021, the administration granted Temporary Protected Status for an 18-month period to Venezuelans who were already living in the United States, having fled the Maduro regime due to the country's economic collapse and repression.^[36]

Middle East, North Africa and Horn of Africa[]

Biden has been a proponent of his "counterterrorism plus" strategy in the Middle East which he says will end previous discriminatory counterterrorism policies in the Middle East by "creating a dialogue with Arab American community leaders on issues of surveillance, policing, and counterterrorism, in tandem with other communities historically affected by securitized relationships with the U.S. government."^[37][38] Biden told the Council on Foreign Relations that his foreign policy will destroy al-Qaeda and ISIL, ensuring their remnants will not reconstitute themselves.^[39][40]

On the day Biden took office, the new administration adopted tighter controls on drone strikes and special forces raids in places where there are few U.S. troops, including Somalia, Libya, and Yemen.^[41][42] The policy halted the Trump-era policy that gave U.S. military officials more discretion to launch counterterrorism attacks without White House oversight.^[41][42] The temporary measure was put in place while the Biden administration completes an interagency review into the drone policy.^[41][42] The review focuses on whether to restore a 2016 order issued by Obama (revoked in 2019 by Trump) that would require the government to issue an annual report disclosing estimates of the numbers of suspected terrorists and civilian casualties, and whether to return to the Obama-era centralized oversight system (in which proposed drone strikes could be approved only if the suspect presented a "continuing and imminent threat" to Americans, and were subject to high-level intelligence vetting in an effort to minimize civilian casualties and blowback) or to keep elements of the Trump-era approach (which was looser and delegated more power to the military and CIA to determine whether to carry out a strike).^[41][42]

Greece, Turkey, and Cyprus[]

Antony Blinken indicated American interest in robust ties between itself, Greece and Cyprus, in response to questioning by Senate Foreign Relations Committee chair Bob Menendez regarding the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act.^[43]

In his confirmation hearings, Blinken stated that "we are very clear eyed" about the problems posed by an expansionist Turkey and said that the Turkish government under Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was "not acting like an ally" and would review if sanctions were necessary against Erdoğan's government due to its purchase of Russian S-400 missile systems.^[44] U.S.-Turkish relations have been strained over Turkey's actions in Syria, its oil exploration in the eastern Mediterranean, and its role in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war,^[44] as well as Turkey's demands (rejected by the U.S.) for the extradition of dissident preacher Fethullah Gülen.^[45]

On April 24, 2021, on Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day, Biden made a statement recognizing the Armenian genocide as a genocide.^[46] The move angered Turkey,^[47][48] which does not recognize the WWI-era systematic slaughter of Armenians by the Ottoman Empire as genocide and seeks to persuade other nations to do the same.^[49][50][51]

Israel and the Arab-Israeli conflict[]

Biden has been a firm supporter of Israel-United States relations, describing himself a Zionist and stating that U.S. aid to Israel is an investment.^[52] Biden's UN Ambassador-designate Linda Thomas-Greenfield vowed to "stand against the unfair singling out of Israel for Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions, saying that the movement "verges on antisemitism."^[53]

During his Senate confirmation hearing, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the Biden administration would continue to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to keep the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem^[54][55] which had been relocated from its previous site in Tel Aviv by the Trump Administration per the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Act, passed by a bipartisan supermajority. Biden called Trump's move, done without conditions, "short-sighted and frivolous" but said during his campaign that he would keep the embassy in Jerusalem and not move it back to Tel Aviv.^[56] In February 2021, the U.S. Senate adopted, by a 97–3 votes, an amendment to a budget resolution that affirmed the U.S. intent to keep the embassy in Jerusalem.^[57]

Consistent with Biden's statements during the campaign,^[40][39][58] upon taking office, the Biden administration returned the U.S. to a "more traditional and evenhanded approach to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."^[59] Biden's acting U.S. ambassador to the UN reaffirmed that the U.S. supported a negotiated two-state solution "in which Israel lives in peace and security, alongside a viable Palestinian state" and called upon the parties to refrain from taking steps that could inhibit a two-state solution, such as Israel annexing or expanding settlements in the West Bank, or the Palestinians inciting violence.^[59] The administration restored U.S. diplomatic relations with the Palestinian Authority and resumed U.S. aid to the Palestinians, two years after Trump had effectively ended U.S. engagement with the Palestinians.^[59]

Biden's first call as president with a Middle Eastern leader was with then-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in mid-February 2021; on the call, Biden reaffirmed U.S. support for Israeli security, for the recent normalization of relations between Israel and a handful of Arab and Muslim nations, and for the Israeli–Palestinian peace process, and the two leaders discussed cooperation against threats from Iran.^[60] On April 7, 2021, the Biden administration announced its intention to restore hundreds of millions of dollars in U.S. aid to the Palestinians.^[61]

Jordan[]

During a July 19, 2021 meeting at the White House with Jordanian King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Hussein, Biden expressed "strong U.S. support for Jordan," a longtime U.S. partner in the Middle East, pushed for improving Israel–Jordan relations, and supported military cooperation between Jordan and the U.S. He and King Abdullah II also discussed Jordan's economic future and the American donation of 500,000 COVID-19 vaccines to the Kingdom.^[62][63] The Biden Administration has continued to provide military and economic aid to Jordan, whose struggling economy has been damaged by the COVID-19 pandemic.^[64]

Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and the Persian Gulf states[]

On January 27, 2021, the day after Antony Blinken took office as Secretary of State, the Biden administration put a temporary freeze on arms sales to Saudi Arabia (specifically, of precision-guided munitions) and the United Arab Emirates (specifically, of F-35 fighter jets) pending a review of billions of dollars' worth of weapons transactions approved by the Trump administration.^[65]

In February 2021, shortly after taking office, Biden fulfilled a campaign pledge to end U.S. support for the five-year Saudi Arabian-led offensive in Yemen. The Saudi offensive caused a humanitarian crisis in Yemen (the poorest country in the Arabian Peninsula) and failed to defeat the Iran-backed Houthis.^[66][67] Biden called for the warring parties to adopt a cease-fire, open channels to allow the delivery of humanitarian aid, and resume the Yemeni peace process.^[66] Shortly thereafter, the Biden administration also removed the Houthis from the State Department list of foreign terrorist organizations, a designation that the Trump administration had made in its final days in office. The designation had threatened to halt the delivery of food and humanitarian aid to Yemenis.^[68][69] The Biden administration made clear that the U.S. would continue to defend Saudi Arabia against Houthi attacks,^[65][66][67] continue U.S. cooperation with the Saudi government on military and counterterrorism issues,^[66] and continue U.S. efforts against al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.^[66]

Biden chose to deal directly with King Salman, bypassing the young Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS), the de facto Saudi leader, whose standing in Washington was seriously damaged by the assassination of dissident and journalist Jamal Khashoggi, his jailing of Saudi dissidents, and his role in the Yemeni war.^[70][71] The administration announced that it would not deal with MBS in any capacity except Saudi defense minister, the position he holds in addition to being crown prince and designated heir.^[71] In an attempt to repair the kingdom's image to a deeply skeptical new administration, the Saudi government undertook certain reforms in early 2021 that the U.S. had urged, including releasing imprisoned activist Loujain al-Hathloul and some other political prisoners, beginning judicial reforms, and revising state-approved school textbooks to eliminate certain material that promoted Islamic extremism, radicalization, and anti-Semitism.^[70] In February 2021, the Biden administration publicly released a report (long withheld by the Trump administration) by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, containing U.S. intelligence's assessment that MBS had approved the Saudi operation that led to Khashoggi's brutal murder in October 2018, basing this conclusion on "the Crown Prince's control of decisionmaking in the Kingdom, the direct involvement of a key adviser and members of Muhammad bin Salman's protective detail in the operation, and the Crown Prince's support for using violent measures to silence dissidents abroad, including Khashoggi."^[71][72][73]

After the report was released, the administration announced a new "Khashoggi ban" policy,^[72][74] allowing the U.S. government to bar visas for persons working for a foreign government that are directly engaged in "serious, extraterritorial counter-dissident activities, including those that suppress, harass, surveil, threaten, or harm journalists, activists, or other persons perceived to be dissidents for their work."^[72] The travel ban was imposed against 76 Saudi citizens, including Ahmad Asiri, the ex-Saudi intelligence chief who helped orchestrate the Khashoggi operation,^[74] and on the Saudi Royal Guard's Rapid Intervention Force, the MBS bodyguard unit under the crown prince's personal control.^[75] Despite pressure from human rights groups and some Democrats to do so, the administration did not impose any direct sanctions on MBS personally, determining that the damage to U.S.-Saudi relations would be too grave.^[74][75][76] Administration officials announced that it intended to use the "Khashoggi ban" policy against officials in other countries, such as Russia, China, and Turkey, that have attempted to silence critics living in the U.S., Europe, or other free nations.^[75]

Human rights groups have urged the Biden administration to prioritize the restoration of human rights in Bahrain as a key component of the U.S. foreign policy in the Middle East.^[77][78]

An administration source cited that they were preparing an overhaul of arms export policy, aimed at gaining balance between American defense contractors and commitment to human rights. The new policy is said to affect arms sales to countries accused of human rights violations. Major arms sales like the $23 billion arms deal with the UAE also remained in limbo following the new shift in the policy, as progressives in the President’s party are against the sale due to Emirates’ role in the Yemeni civil war.^[79][80]

Iran[]

Biden criticized Trump's approach to Iran as "a self-inflicted disaster," citing his withdrawal of the U.S. from the international nuclear agreement with Iran and escalation of tensions in 2020.^[81][82] In early February 2021, Biden indicated that the U.S. would not lift sanctions on Iran until that country stopped enriching uranium.^[83] A few weeks later, Biden formally extended an offer to restart diplomatic talks on a new nuclear deal, but it is unclear if Iran will accept while sanctions are still being imposed.^[84]

North Africa[]

The U.S. called for Russian, Turkish, and UAE forces (and their proxies) to immediately withdraw from Libya, after those countries ignored the January 23, 2021 deadline for foreign forces and mercenaries to leave the country (as set by a UN-backed ceasefire signed in October 2019 to end the war among the countries' factions and their foreign supporters). Richard M. Mills Jr., the Acting U.S. Ambassador to the UN, said, "We call on all external parties, to include Russia, Turkey and the UAE, to respect Libyan sovereignty and immediately cease all military intervention in Libya."^[85]

The Biden administration pressed the Egyptian government of Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to improve its poor human rights record, but nonetheless approved in February 2021 a $197 million sale of Rolling Airframe Missiles for the Egyptian Navy's coastal defenses, citing the country's role in regional security as a major non-NATO ally.^[86][87]

Syria[]

On February 15, 2021, an Iranian-backed militia launched a missile attack on the airport in Erbil in northern Iraq, killing a Filipino contractor with the U.S.-led military coalition and wounded six others, including five Americans. In retaliation, Biden ordered an airstrike on the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah (KH) and Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada (KSS) militias in eastern Syria, just across the border with Iraq (between Al Qaem and Abu Kamal). This was the administration's first military action. Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby described the American retaliation as a proportionate response meant to punish the perpetrators but not to escalate hostilities with Iran.^[88][89] Biden called off a second planned strike at the last minute after military reconnaissance identified civilians in the intended target.^[89][90]

On June 27, 2021, the U.S. carried out a round of airstrikes against three operational and arms storage facilities of Iran-backed militias in the Syria-Iraq border region. The Pentagon press secretary stated that the action was in response to UAV attacks by the militias.^[91]

Afghanistan[]

President Biden meets with national security officials following the fall of Kabul, August 18, 2021

A U.S. Air Force C-17 evacuating Afghan nationals out of Kabul on August 15, 2021

After Biden took office, his administration began a broad review of the U.S.'s policy in Afghanistan,^[92][93] where 2,500 U.S. troops were stationed at the beginning of Biden's term.^[93]

In early February 2021, shortly after Biden took office, the bipartisan Afghanistan Study Group, a panel established by Congress in 2019, issued its report, recommended that the administration slow the further withdrawal of U.S. troops in Afghanistan, keeping U.S. troops after a May 1 deadline set by the February 2020 U.S.-Taliban Doha agreement reached under the Trump administration.^[92][93] The Study Group, led by former general Joseph Dunford and former U.S. Senator Kelly Ayotte, warned against a complete U.S. military withdrawal because the Taliban had not fully complied with their obligations under the agreement and because the panel viewed a quick withdrawal of remaining U.S. forces as a risk factor for renewed Afghan civil war, terrorist threats, and insurgency; the panel recommended that U.S. forces be further reduced as security conditions in the country improve.^[92][93]

Biden's Secretary of State Antony Blinken discussed the U.S. policy review with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani in February 2021, saying that the U.S. was committed to "a just and durable political settlement and permanent and comprehensive ceasefire" and would continue to consult "with Afghan leaders, NATO allies and international partners" on the future of the February 2020 deal.^[94] Later that month, in an unusually blunt letter from Blinken to Ghani, the U.S. expressed frustration with the stalled Afghan negotiations, in which Ghani was frequently intransigent and resisted the formation of an interim Afghan government that would advance the peace process but also probably end his presidency.^[95] The U.S. proposed a UN-led peace conference, and urged Ghani to participate "to move matters more fundamentally and quickly toward a settlement and a permanent and comprehensive cease-fire."^[95]

On April 13, 2021, the White House announced that the remaining 2,500 troops in Afghanistan would withdraw by September 11, 2021. The U.S. government commented that it would continue to support the Afghan government in regards of a possible Taliban military victory. The deadline was extended from that of May 1, 2021 previously announced by the Trump administration.^[96]

By early July 2021, most of the American troops in Afghanistan were withdrawn.^[97] Biden addressed the withdrawal, stating that: "The likelihood there’s going to be the Taliban overrunning everything and owning the whole country is highly unlikely."^[97] However, on August 15, amid an offensive by the Taliban, the Afghan government collapsed and Afghan President Ashraf Ghani fled the country, leaving the Taliban in full control of Afghanistan.^[97][98]

During the initial siege of Kabul and the subsequent collapse of the Afghan government, Biden was vacationing at Camp David.^[99] Facing mounting criticism for the administration's handling of the event, Biden returned to the White House on August 16 where he delivered an address to the American people defending his decision to withdraw U.S. forces from the country. In his remarks, Biden blamed the Afghan National Army for failing to adequately defend against the Taliban saying, "American troops cannot and should not be fighting in a war and dying in a war that Afghan forces are not willing to fight for themselves."^{[100][101][102]}

Many commentators have drawn comparisons between the withdraw and evacuation of U.S. forces in Afghanistan with the fall of Saigon at the end of the Vietnam War.^[103][104]

Sub-Saharan Africa[]

East Africa[]

Eritrea and Ethiopia[]

On January 27, the Department of State demanded that Eritrea withdraw from the Tigray War in Ethiopia.^[105]

US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power, an appointee of President Biden, is scheduled to meet with Ethiopian officials in early August 2021 with the goal of preventing war-induced famine in Tigray. Power has called for "unimpeded humanitarian access to prevent famine...and meet urgent needs." Ethiopia accuses Tigray rebel forces (the TPLF and TDF) of blocking aid access;^[106] Tigray forces blame the Ethiopian federal government.^[107]

Somalia[]

Although most U.S. troops were withdrawn from Somalia in early January 2021, an undisclosed number of U.S. troops participated in a training program against Al-Shabaab jihadists on January 31.^[108]

On July 20, 2021, the U.S. Air Force carried out the first airstrike against position of the al-Shabaab group under the Biden administration. The airstrike took place in the city of Galkayo, Somalia.^[109]

Sudan[]

USAID Administrator Samantha Power arrived in Sudan on July 31, 2021 to meet with senior transition officials. Sudan has been ruled by military and civilian leaders ever since the deposition of longtime Sudanese leader Omar al-Bashir in a military coup amid popular protests. Power will meet chairman of the transitional military-civilian Sovereignty Council Gen. Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok at Khartoum, the Sudanese capital.

Power described Sudan as "an inspiring example to the world that no leader is ever permanently immune from the will of their people;" she is expected to strengthen US ties with the pro-Western transitional government and leverage USAID's resources to support Sudan's transition to a civilian democracy.^[106]

West Africa[]

On January 20, 2021, his first day in office, Biden sent a memorandum to the Department of State reinstating Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) to Liberians.^[110][111]

East Asia, South Asia, and Southeast Asia[]

China, Taiwan, and the South China Sea[]

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan meet with Chinese officials in Alaska, March 2021

Biden has criticized the government of the People's Republic of China (PRC) for being "deeply authoritarian".^[40] stealing "over 1 million" manufacturing jobs from Americans,^[112] breaking international trade regulations,^[39] unfairly subsidizing Chinese corporations, and stealing intellectual property from U.S. firms and discriminating against them.^[39] Tariffs imposed by Trump on the PRC will remain in place.^[113] Biden said he had spent more time in private meetings with Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping than any other world leader.^[114] He has criticized Xi as "a guy who doesn’t have a democratic — with a small d — bone in his body. This is a guy who is a thug."^[115][116] Janet Yellen said the administration would use the United States' "full array of tools" against "abusive" PRC practices.^[117] Antony Blinken, crediting the Trump administration's hawkish approach,^[118] characterized the PRC as a "Techno-Autocracy" which seeks world dominance. Blinken indicated a desire to welcome political refugees from Hong Kong. He furthermore stated that Biden administration's commitment to Taiwan's defense would "absolutely endure", and that a PRC attack on the island Republic of China (Taiwan) "would be a grievous mistake on their part".^[119] The representative of Taiwan in the United States Hsiao Bi-khim (the country's de facto ambassador) was invited to attend Biden's presidential inauguration, becoming the first Taiwanese representative to attend a U.S. presidential ceremony.^[120][121]

On January 20, 2021, around the time of the inauguration of Biden, PRC government announced sanctions against Mike Pompeo and 27 other former officials who worked under the Trump presidency. A spokesperson for Biden's National Security Council called the sanctions "unproductive and cynical."^[122] This comes after Pompeo, who was Secretary of State under Donald Trump, formally declared that China is committing a genocide against the Uyghurs, which the Biden campaign had previously said half a year prior in a statement in August 2020.^[123] During his nomination hearing, Biden endorsed Pompeo's report that China is committing a genocide against Uyghur Muslims, reaffirming Biden's campaign stance.^[124]

The Biden administration took a tough stance on China, with Blinken and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines advocating an assertive U.S. approach.^[121] The Biden administration rejected China's territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea that violate international law, and pledged to back Southeastern Asian nations on territorial disputes.^[125][126] The administration also condemned Chinese incursions into Taiwan's air defense zone.^[121] In February 2021, the administration called upon the Chinese government and the World Health Organization to release data about the origin of COVID-19; China had refused to grant WHO investigators access to the raw data on early cases of the virus.^[127] The British government backed Biden's call for transparency.^[127]

Biden held his first telephone call with Chinese leader Xi Jinping on February 10, 2021; during the call, Biden raised issues of "Beijing's coercive and unfair economic practices" as well as the government's "crackdown in Hong Kong, human rights abuses in Xinjiang, and increasingly assertive actions in the region, including toward Taiwan"; the conversation also involved the COVID-19 pandemic and "shared challenges of global health security, climate change and preventing weapons proliferation."^[128][129]

In late February 2021, Biden ordered the government to undertake a 100-day supply chain review, examining sourcing vulnerabilities for key components (such as semiconductors, rare earth minerals, and certain batteries) used in important goods (such as computers, electric vehicles, pharmaceuticals, personal protective equipment, and military equipment), including vulnerabilities from "strategic competitor nations." Biden stated that the review would assess how to avoid having the U.S. "rely on a foreign country, especially one that doesn't share our interests or our values, in order to protect and provide for our people during a national emergency." The review was part of a broader competition between the U.S. and China for global economic influence.^[130][131]

The first high-level talks between the Biden administration and China were held in Anchorage, Alaska on March 19, 2021. Participants included secretary of state Tony Blinken and national security advisor Jake Sullivan from the U.S. side, and the Chinese Communist Party Politburo member and highest-ranking diplomat Yang Jiechi and foreign minister Wang Yi from the Chinese side. The public meeting was contentious, with heated exchanges on China's human rights abuses, cyberattacks, its threats against Taiwan, its crackdown in Xinjiang and Hong Kong, and other issues of U.S. interest. The Chinese side countered that the U.S. "does not have the qualification... to speak to China from a position of strength", that the U.S. does not serve as a model to others, and that China's "development and strengthening is unstoppable".^[132][133] China also accused the U.S. of "incit[ing] some countries to attack China," while the U.S. said China had "arrived intent on grandstanding, focused on public theatrics and dramatics over substance."^[134][135] In the week ahead of the talks, the administration met with U.S. allies in Asia and imposed sanctions on senior Chinese officials.^[132]

In April 2021, it was reported that the Biden administration was rallying U.S. allies in consideration of a boycott of the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. The U.S. Department of State denied the report, asserting that "Our position on the 2022 Olympics has not changed. We have not discussed and are not discussing any joint boycott with allies and partners".^[136]

At their annual meeting on June 13, 2021, leaders from the Group of Seven (G7) democracies sharply criticized China for a series of abuses. The G7 nations—the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Canada and Japan—had been hesitant about acting separately. Pressured by US President Joe Biden they unanimously agreed on a sharp criticism, followed the next day by a similar strong unanimous attack by NATO members. The criticisms focused on the mistreatment of the Muslim Uighur minority, the systematic destruction of democracy in Hong Kong, repeated military threats against Taiwan, unfair trade practices, and lack of transparency regarding the origins of covid-19. China has rejected all criticism of what it considers to be strictly internal policy matters. On the other hand, the constellation of critics is essential to the Chinese economy in terms of jobs, investments and purchases of its huge quantity of exports.^{[137][138][139][140]}

India[]

In their first telephone call on February 8, 2021, Biden and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi (the leaders of the world's two most populous democracies) committed to close cooperation on the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and promoting a "free and open Indo-Pacific region" and agreed that the "rule of law and the democratic process must be upheld" in India's regional neighbor Burma, in which the military seized power in a coup.^{[141][142][143]} Addressing regional security issues posed by China, Biden and Modi expressed "support for freedom of navigation, territorial integrity, and a stronger regional architecture through the Quad" (the U.S., India, Japan, and Australia).^[142] Biden made no direct mention of the ongoing farmers' protests, but noted that a "shared commitment to democratic values" as the "bedrock for the U.S.-India relationship."^[141] Modi stated after the call that both he and Biden are "committed to a rules-based international order" and "look forward to consolidating our strategic partnership."^[143]

Japan[]

President Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga, April 2021

In their first telephone call on January 27, 2021, Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga reaffirmed the U.S.'s commitment to the U.S.-Japan security alliance,^[125] including the "unwavering" American commitment to defending Japan under the U.S.-Japan Mutual Defense Treaty, including defense of the Senkaku Islands (which are administered by Japan, but claimed by China).^[126][144] Suga was the first foreign leader to meet with Biden in person when he visited Washington, D.C. on April 16, 2021.^[145]

Myanmar[]

Biden condemned the 2021 coup d'état in Myanmar and called upon the military to release State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and the other officials whom they had detained. He stated that the "United States opposes any attempt to alter the outcome of recent elections or impede Myanmar's democratic transition."^[146] Biden called upon the military to "relinquish power it seized and demonstrate respect for the will of the people of Burma" and imposed new U.S. sanctions against the military coup plotters (some of whom were already under sanctions for atrocities against the Rohingya minority), including freezing $1 billion in assets.^[147]

North Korea[]

An early Biden administration effort to open a line of communication with North Korea was rebuffed.^[148] Following the launch of two missiles by North Korea in March 2021, the Biden administration questioned if they should impose sanctions or return to the summit-style diplomacy of the Trump administration.^[149]

South Korea[]

President Biden and South Korean President Moon Jae-in, May 2021

In their first telephone call on February 3, 2021, Biden and South Korean President Moon Jae-in agreed to enhance regional cooperation between Japan, the U.S., and South Korea on key issues, including issues on North Korea and China, and on the importance of improving strained Japan–South Korea relations.^[150] In March 2021, the U.S. and South Korea reached a military cost-sharing agreement, with South Korea increasing its annual payments to the U.S. by $1 billion (or about 13%). The U.S.-South Korea agreement resolved a deadlock inherited from the Trump administration. The U.S. also announced U.S.-South Korean joint military exercises (which Trump had scaled back and questioned the need for).^[151] The Biden administration affirmed the U.S.'s "unshakable" security commitment to South Korea under the Mutual Defense Treaty, to the readiness of U.S. forces in Korea, and to "reinvigorating and modernizing our democratic alliances around the world."^[151] Moon was the second foreign leader to meet with Biden in person when he visited Washington, D.C. on May 21, 2021.^[152]

Europe[]

Secretary of State Antony Blinken poses for a photo with British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas in Brussels, March 2021

European Union[]

Some analysts and diplomats say the proposed Comprehensive Agreement on Investment between China and the European Union may damage relations with the United States as the EU hands China a political win at the expense of incoming president Biden.^{[153][154][155]} In December 2020, Jake Sullivan, Biden's national security adviser, said he would welcome "early consultation" with Europe on China. However, instead of holding off for Biden to take office to devise a common approach toward China, the EU agreed to the deal anyway.^[156]

President Biden promised to repair "strained" relationships with European allies in contrast to his predecessor Trump.^[157] At the Munich Security Conference, Biden warned that "Putin seeks to weaken the European project and our NATO alliance." Biden called for multilateralism to strengthen the defensive position and economic power of the transatlantic alliance, and solve global problems like the COVID pandemic and climate change.^[158]

Republic of Ireland[]

On March 17, 2021, St. Patrick's Day, Biden continued tradition by meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheál Martin, though this time virtually due to the pandemic. They discussed COVID-19, security issues and Northern Ireland as Biden emphasized his support for the Good Friday Agreement. In an interview with MSNBC, Martin said that "In President Biden, we have perhaps the most Irish-American president since John F. Kennedy, and his election was greeted with great affection and warmth".^[159]

United Kingdom[]

On January 23, 2021, Biden and the British Prime Minister Boris Johnson had a phone call.^[160] With the United Kingdom assuming control over its trade policy after the completion of Brexit and the withdrawal from the European Economic Area, Johnson pushed Biden for a new trade deal that would unite a global response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Biden administration signaled that it is unlikely to push for a U.K.-U.S. free trade agreement (a major priority for Johnson) early on in Biden's term, as Biden has expressed a desire for the U.S. to make "major investments in American workers and our infrastructure" before entered into new free trade agreements.^[161]

On June 13, 2021, Joe and Jill Biden met with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle while on their visit to the UK for the G7 Summit. The visit included a Guard of Honour and afternoon tea with the Queen.^[162] After the meeting, Biden said that the Queen was "very generous" and he told reporters that "she reminded me of my mother".^[163] Biden also revealed that during their meeting, the Queen asked about Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping.^[164]

New Atlantic Charter[]

On 10 June 2021, Biden and U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson issued the New Atlantic Charter while in Cornwall, England.^[165] The Charter has been described as a "revitalized" version of the original Atlantic Charter which was signed by U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt and U.K. Winston Churchill eighty years prior.^[166] A statement issued by the White House described the New Atlantic Charter as aimed to meet the "new challenges of the 21st century," while also "building on the commitments and aspirations set out eighty years ago."^[166]

Northern Ireland[]

Biden has routinely iterated his commitment to maintaining peace in Northern Ireland by resisting the possibility of a hard border as a result of Brexit. When asked by The Irish Times in March 2021 about comments made by Irish foreign minister Simon Coveney that the UK “cannot be trusted” on the Northern Ireland protocol, White House press secretary Jen Psaki stated that “President Biden has been unequivocal about his support for the Good Friday Agreement". As part of his own Irish-American heritage, Psaki stated that Biden “has a special place in his heart for the Irish" underpinning his commitment to Northern Ireland's peace.^[167]

France and Germany[]

President Biden and German Chancellor Angela Merkel, July 2021

Soon after taking office, Biden spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Angela Merkel in separate phone calls.^[168][169] In the calls with the European leaders, Biden spoke of bilateral relations, bolstering transatlantic relations through NATO and the European Union, and closely coordinating on key issues, such as Iran, China, Russia, Afghanistan, climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic and multilateral organizations.^{[168][169][170]} In early February 2021, Biden froze the Trump administration's withdrawal of 9,500 troops from U.S. military bases in Germany,^[171] Biden's freeze was welcomed by Germany, which said that the move "serves European and transatlantic security and hence is in our mutual interest."^[172]

Russia[]

President Biden and Russian President Vladimir Putin, June 2021

Through 2020, Biden and Putin had met once, in Moscow in March 2011, when Biden was vice president and Putin as prime minister. After an official group meeting Biden characterized in his memoir as "argumentative," he and Putin met privately, with Biden saying "Mr. Prime Minister, I’m looking into your eyes," (a reference to a 2001 meeting between Putin and President Bush, who later said "I looked the man in the eye...I was able to get a sense of his soul"). Biden continued, "I don’t think you have a soul." Putin replied, "We understand each other."^[173]

As vice president, Biden had urged the Ukrainian government to eliminate middlemen such as oligarch Dmytry Firtash from the country's natural gas industry, and to reduce the country's reliance on imports of Russian natural gas. Firtash has said he was installed as a middleman by Russian organized crime boss Semion Mogilevich; Putin agreed with the appointment. Since 2014, Firtash has been fighting extradition to the United States under a federal indictment.^{[174][175][176]} He was involved in efforts by Rudy Giuliani and his associates in seeking information that might damage Biden's 2020 presidential prospects.^[174][177]

The United States intelligence community found that Russian intelligence actors have been spreading narratives of alleged corruption about Biden, his family and Ukraine since at least 2014.^[178][179]

On the day of Biden's inauguration, the Russian government urged the new U.S. administration to take a "more constructive" approach in talks over the extension of the 2010 New START treaty, the sole remaining agreement limiting the number of U.S. and Russian long-range nuclear warheads.^[180] In Biden's first telephone call as president with Russian President Vladimir Putin, on January 26, 2021, Biden and Putin agreed to extend the New START treaty (which was set to expire in February 2021) by an additional five years.^[181]

Biden and his administration condemned human rights violations by the Russian authorities, calling for the release of detained dissident and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny, his wife, and the thousands of Russians who had demonstrated in his support; the U.S. called for the unconditional release of Navalny and the protestors and a credible investigation into Navalny's poisoning.^{[182][183][184]} On March 2, 2021, the U.S. and European Union imposed coordinated additional sanctions on Russian officials, as well as the FSB and GRU, over the Navalny poisoning and imprisonment. The State Department also expanded existing sanctions from the Chemical and Biological Weapons Control and Warfare Elimination Act that had been imposed after the poisoning of Skripal.^[185]

The Biden administration is also planning to impose sanctions against Russia over the 2020 SolarWinds cyberespionage campaign, which compromised the computer systems of nine federal agencies.^[186] Biden's national security adviser Jake Sullivan said that the response "will include a mix of tools seen and unseen, and it will not simply be sanctions."^[186][185]

The Biden administration's comprehensive review into Russian activities has included an examination of reports that the Russian government offered to Taliban-linked fighters to kill U.S. troops in Afghanistan.^[187][188]

On March 16, 2021, a DNI report on the 2020 U.S. Federal elections was declassified. It had confirmed that both the governments of Russia and Iran had been attempting to influence the 2020 United States elections, with Putin approving the operation of influencing the elections.^[189] Although no evidence was found of any votes, ballots, or registrations being directly changed by foreign actors, the assessment did find that Russian efforts were aimed at "denigrating President Biden's candidacy and the Democratic Party, supporting former President Trump, undermining public confidence in the electoral process, and exacerbating sociopolitical divisions in the US".^[190] On the following day, Biden commented on the new information in an interview with ABC News that Putin will "will pay a price", also labeling Putin a "killer".^[191][192]

Meeting with NATO allies in Brussels two days before his scheduled June 2021 summit with Russian president Vladimir Putin, Biden refuted an assertion by Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky that NATO had agreed to admit Ukraine to the alliance. Ukrainian allegiance has been a persistently contentious issue between Russia and the United States.^[193][194]

Speaking to American military personnel in Britain en route to the summit, Biden said, "We're not seeking conflict with Russia. We want a stable predictable relationship. I've been clear: the United States will respond in a robust and meaningful way if the Russian government engages in harmful activities." He added he would "meet with Mr. Putin to let him know what I want him to know."^[195]

Following the meeting, Biden stated to reporters that he warned Putin that the U.S. would use offensive cyber operations if Russia did not crack down on cyberattacks against "critical infrastructure."^[196]

Ukraine[]

Biden pledged support for the sovereignty of Ukraine.^[158]

Biden is opposed to the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, describing it as a "bad deal for Europe". The pipeline project has been criticized for the leverage it could give to Russia in isolating Ukraine.^[197] A joint statement of the Ukrainian and Polish governments urged Biden to take more decisive action against Nord Stream 2.^[198]

In March 2021, Biden administration announced a $125 million military aid package to Ukraine including Mark VI patrol boats, radars and medical equipment.^[199]

Balkans and Southeastern Europe[]

In February 2021, Biden sent letters to Kosovo's acting President Vjosa Osmani and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, urging the normalization of Kosovo–Serbia relations based upon "based on "mutual recognition" and expressing support for economic normalization agreements; Biden's engagement with the issue signaled a new U.S. focus on European security.^[200][201]

Caucasus[]

As designate, Secretary of State Blinken reaffirmed his support for keeping NATO's door open for Georgia.^[202]

Multilateral organizations and policy[]

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in February 2021.

Consistent with his campaign pledges,^[203][204] Biden brought the U.S. back into several multilateral organizations and agreements.^[205]

Human rights and health[]

In early February 2021, soon after taking office, the Biden returned the United States to the United Nations Human Rights Council (which the Trump administration withdrew from in 2018) and directed the State Department to "to re-engage immediately and robustly" with the council; Blinken, Biden's secretary of state, said that "The best way to improve the Council, so it can achieve its potential, is through robust and principled U.S. leadership."^[205]

Biden also rescinded the Mexico City Policy ("Global Gag Rule"), an Trump-era anti-abortion measure that blocked nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that provided abortion-related information, referrals, counseling, or services (even with funds contributed by private donors or non-U.S. governments) from receiving any U.S. foreign aid.^[206][207] The policy, first adopted under Reagan, has been alternately imposed under Republican administrations and rescinded under Democratic ones,^[206] and was extended in scope under Trump.^[208] Biden's repeal of the rule was welcomed by, among other, Doctors Without Borders^[208] and Amnesty International.^[209] Biden also withdrew the U.S. from the Geneva Consensus Declaration, an anti-abortion declaration that the U.S. had joined under Trump, and restored funding to the UN Population Fund.^[207]

COVID-19 pandemic response and global health[]

Biden signed an executive order on his first day in office, halting the U.S. withdrawal from the World Health Organization that Trump had ordered (but which had not yet taken effect). Biden also appointed Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government's chief infectious disease scientist, as the head of the delegation to the WHO.^[210] The U.S. has been the largest financial contributor to the WHO, providing roughly one-fifth of its annual budget.^[211] Fauci stated the US would meet its financial obligations of $400–$500 million/year, and rejoin the COVAX global framework for vaccinating people in low to middle-income countries which had been stalled by lack of funding.^[212]

Biden renewed COVID-19-related travel bans barring non-U.S. nationals from several parts of the world, including the Schengen Area, the Republic of Ireland, the United Kingdom, and Brazil, from entering the U.S. These bans had initially been imposed by Trump, but before leaving office Trump had ordered that the bans expire on January 26, 2021. The day before the travel bans were set to expire, Biden extended them and also added South Africa to the list of affected countries.^[213] The bans on entry by mainland Chinese and Iranian nationals were not scheduled to expire by Trump, and they remain in place.^[214]

The G7[]

On February 19, 2021, the Group of Seven met virtually in a call convened by the UK's Boris Johnson. Joe Biden spoke for 15 minutes and declared "America is Back" with an end to Trump's "America First" Policy. Biden stressed the importance of the rise of China especially in the areas of cybersecurity and technology.^[215]

Biden attended the 47th G7 Summit in June 2021 alongside the UK's Boris Johnson, Canada’s Justin Trudeau, Japan’s Yoshihide Suga, France’s Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Angela Merkel, Italy’s Mario Draghi and the EU represented by Ursula von der Leyen and Charles Michel.^[216] While at the G7 reception on June 11, Biden also met with Queen Elizabeth II before their scheduled meeting at Windsor Castle on June 13.^[217] At the G7 Summit talks, the leaders discussed the pandemic, environmental action, and how to challenge the rise of China on the world stage.^[218]

See also[]

• List of international presidential trips made by Joe Biden
• List of international trips made by Antony Blinken as United States Secretary of State

References[]

Further reading[]

• "The Biden Progress Report: We asked 25 experts to grade the new team's start on foreign policy" Foreign Policy 00157228, (Spring 2021), Issue 240 online

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Foreign policy of Joe Biden.