Peculiarities of US foreign policy formation under the presidency of J. Baiden

Abstract

The article analyses foreign policy of J. Biden and stands out the differences with the previous president. It is proved, that J. Biden’s foreign policy differs from D. Trump’s foreign policy, although there are elements of continuity in it. Some US presidents, in particular A. Lincoln and B. Obama, chose political rivals to work in their administration. J. Biden selected former colleagues who have worked with him for many years. The Biden administration is expected to take a tougher stance towards Russia. US President J. Biden believes in countering aggression by the Russian Federation, including through sanctions. China is expected to become the main challenge for J. Biden’s foreign policy team, as relations between the US and the PRC sank to their lowest point in decades. It is predicted that J. Biden will pursue a more consistent policy towards China. It is also expected that J. Biden’s team will enlist the support of US allies to force Beijing to comply with international norms in a number of areas: in trade, in the relations of the central government with Hong Kong, in the actions of the fleet in the South China Sea, in the fight against coronavirus and in the field of human rights. At present, it remains unclear how the Biden administration will build relations with North Korea. It is expected to cooperate more closely with allies, as well as to exert economic pressure on China to help bring the DPRK to the negotiating table. The big question is whether the Biden administration will honour the March 2021 agreement between the United States and the Taliban and withdraw all American troops by September 11, 2021, without forcing the Taliban to fulfil commitments to reduce bloodshed and cut ties with the Al-Qaeda and other Islamist groups that may pose a threat to US interests. It is expected that the deployment of US troops in places such as Afghanistan and Syria, without a clear strategy, will end under the presidency of J. Biden. But such decisions will depend on military assessments and consultations with allies, which leaves the door open for continued American intervention.