Biden Announces Changes in US Foreign Policy
The Joe Biden administration has announced to the US State Department its foreign policy goals. On Thursday, February 4th Biden initiated his speech with the words “America is back, diplomacy is back.” The new administration announced its views towards the war between Yemen and Saudi Arabia. Biden said that “the US will end its support for the Saudi offensive in Yemen.” However, he made clear that the US will continue to support Saudi Arabia. Biden’s foreign policy speech reflected America’s intentions to reinforce alliances and cooperation affected by the previous Trump administration. The Biden administration prioritizes the importance of projecting American values to the world at large. Throughout the speech, he frequently expressed values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law as primary vehicles to guide foreign policy.
Regarding the political crisis in Burma, Biden urged the Burmese military “to relinquish the power they have seized. Release the advocates and activists and officials they have detained, lift the restrictions in telecommunications and refrain from violence”. He urged nations to stand together and counter back against the forces of “authoritarianism.” “We can’t do it alone.. we must start with diplomacy rooted in America’s most cherished democratic values”. Contrary to Trump, which crafted a foreign policy of “America first,” prioritizing America in world affairs and cultivated nationalism values at home.
He as well spoke about US-Russia relations. Biden aims at extending “the NEW START TREATY with Russia” to preserve the US-Russia agreement over nuclear weapons. On the other hand, he denounced the Russian government for the “jailing of opposition activists Alexei Navalny. “He should be released immediately and without condition,” Biden expressed. Regarding US-Chinese relations, Biden expressed that “we will also confront China’s economic abuses.” Still, he made clear that his administration is also “ready to work with Beijing where it is in America’s interests.” And contrary to Trump’s hostility towards immigrants and refugees. Biden touched the topic of refuges saying that for decades it has been a “bipartisan consensus” within US politics. However, he expressed that refugees and the LGBT community are part of the foreign policy agenda goals that the administration is committed to promoting American moral values.
By: Eder Leonel Torres
