Only Three?

At the Center for Strategic and International Studies Matthew Goodman identifies three “tensions” in the Biden Administration’s international economic policy:

International economics is one area of U.S. policy where there will be a clear break between the Trump and Biden eras. Whether it’s less obsession with bilateral trade deficits and tariffs, more commitment to multilateral problem-solving, or a more disciplined policymaking process, the Biden administration’s approach will be markedly different from that of its predecessor. But there are three aspects of international economic policy in which President Biden’s impulses appear to pull in conflicting directions. Unless these tensions are reconciled, there is a risk that this important area of policy will get bogged down in the new administration.

The tensions he highlights are between

  • Domestic and international economic priorities
  • The new administration’s aversion to traditional trade negotiations and its desire to reestablish U.S. leadership in the Indo-Pacific region
  • Confronting and engaging with China

On the first unless the Biden Administration is drastically unlike every post-war administration international economic priorities will be overwhelmed not just by domestic ones but by domestic political considerations. On the second I sincerely hope that the Biden Administration doesn’t believe in the trope of U. S. leadership too strongly. To be a leader you must have followers and the U. S. hasn’t been a leader in the Asia-Pacific area or European one for a half century at least.

On the third Mr. Goodman makes an error all too common among American commentators: failing to recognize that the Chinese have a vote. I think that the Chinese have the initiative in whether the U. S. posture with respect to China is one of confrontation or engagement. I don’t believe the Biden Administration will be able to choose.

And what of energy and environmental policies? I think that there’s a fundamental tension between achieving the Biden Administration’s objective of international followership in reducing omissions and reviving the U. S. economy. What about that?

3 comments… add one
  • bob sykes Link

    Biden’s policies are a mishmash of contradictions: $15/hr minimum wage and free trade and open borders; Green Economy and reindustrialization; confront China and Russia and have peace. Nothing can happen on any front if each policy decision is cancelled by another.

    The key point is that all our allies in Asia signed a free trade agreement with China, and all our allies in Europe signed a free investment traty with China. China (and its ally Russia) has won, and our allies are ratifying its victory.

    Biden will destroy what’s left of our economy and alliance system and democracy.

  • Drew Link

    “What about that?”

    Well, they can always have Jill offer a couple baskets of cookies to all sides to placate them. I hear that’s part of the strategy mix……

  • Grey Shambler Link

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