Biden’s Trade Policies - Recalibrated, More Focused, and a Bit Concerning

Abstract

The Biden administration has moved to refocus the U.S. trade policy on China, acting to promote competition but not thoughtless confrontation. Some actions were strong right out of the gate, but that should not have been that surprising. But it still is. If anything, the recently concluded G-7 meeting in Cornwall and the subsequent U.S.-EU summit in Brussels indicate that the Biden administration intends to take a stronger and a more multilateral and diplomatic approach to confront China. This has been further supported by U.S. allies at the recent NATO meeting in Brussels. The administration is stressing cooperation with allies and competition with China. Biden’s recent diplomacy demonstrates his overriding preoccupation with China. Moving away from Trump’s dysfunctional and disastrous unilateral measures of confrontation with all. This can only help, in stabilizing U.S – China relations and rebuilding the WTO, hopefully.