What Will Biden's China Policy Look Like

Abstract

The U.S.-China relationship over the past four years can be summarized into actions by the U.S. and reactions by China. Assuming that such nature of the U.S.-China relationship will continue, it seems important to predict the newly launched Biden government’s China policy in advance. So far Biden has disclosed only a few details about his plans for U.S.-China relations. After examining Biden’s statements, interviews, and articles which have been released, I expect there will be more competition but less confrontation with China while he is in the Oval Office. The Biden administration is likely to negotiate hard but in a less provocative manner through skillfully and sophisticatedly using both engagement and containment approaches. Given the Biden administration laying much value on a united front with allies rather than taking unilateral measures, now it is time for the Korean government to formulate a more thorough response strategy where the confrontation between the U.S. and China is expected to escalate.