US (Washington Insider Magazine) – Following Trump’s loss in the 2021 election, many U.S. citizens hoped that his nationalist views would be discarded for more friendly foreign policy. Though Biden does not use the rhetoric of former president Trump, relations between the United States and China remain at a low point.
The Biden administration is focused on foreign policy in Asia as the government fights for control over Taiwan. Despite being historically owned by China, Taiwan has no intention to give the country political control.
The United States does not officially take a stated position on defending Taiwan, although spending suggests otherwise. In December 2021, Biden signed the National Defense Authorization Act into law, authorizing $770 billion in U.S. defense spending for the 2022 fiscal year. $7.1 billion of it will go towards the Pacific Deterrence Initiative and a statement of Congressional support in defending Taiwan.
Though United States military aid is not present in Taiwan, the United States sells billions of dollars in weapons to them each year. According to a statement from the U.S. Department of State, “The Biden Administration is firmly committed to taking on the PRC’s abusive, unfair and illegal practices.” While rhetoric about the United States’ plan to defend Taiwan against China remains vague, the U.S. shows open hostility toward China.
China has increased its military presence in Taiwan over the last year. Many of Taiwan’s residents expressed faith in the United States’ commitment to defending the country, though older residents doubt it. Taiwan’s defense minister stated that China would be ready for an attack by 2025 and over half of Taiwan’s residents believe a war with China is a real possibility.
The Department of Defense has also placed a ban on products from Xinjiang, China following human rights violations. In a conference held in December, the Biden administration urged the importance of weapon sales, creating and maintaining alliances, and taking a central position with ASEAN.
However, these policies are not any stronger than in previous years, and with tensions rising, it is unclear how the United States can maintain a working relationship with China. There has been a steep decline in imports, with China imposing tariffs on the United States and Hong Kong. The United States was significantly affected by the tariffs, in 2019, “the United States’ Chinese imports reached a 27-year low”, sources at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace state.
Experts believe that the United States and China will continue to hold the leading positions in the economy due to the presence of technology in both markets. Artificial Intelligence is a particularly booming industry, fueled almost wholly by both countries.
While the United States is moving forward with deliberate plans to stop investing in China’s military and surveillance sectors, China is increasing its government spending to focus on self-sufficiency. Tensions have only increased since the United States announced a boycott of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.
Economic experts do not believe that relations with China will stop anytime soon; it would be expensive to stop trade. It is clear, however, that the United States does not approve of China’s government or its labor practices, and threats loom.
