Do You Know? Biden's Foreign Policy Strategy and Accomplishments
President Biden's latest foreign policy achievement revolves around a transformative shift in U.S. global engagement, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. Notable highlights include:
Historic Trilateral Summit at Camp David: The historic trilateral summit at Camp David brought together Korea’s President Yoon and Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. This marks the first-ever meeting of its kind between these two nations. While Japan and the Republic of Korea (ROK) are among the United States' key allies in East Asia, historical conflicts had previously prevented such a joint summit. Max Boot of the Council on Foreign Relations wrote in the Washington Post, “[i]t is hard to exaggerate the significance of Friday’s summit at Camp David,” and while “[t]he primary acclaim must go to the courageous leader of South Korea and the pragmatic leader of Japan for moving beyond historical grievances…the Biden administration also deserves considerable credit for enabling this rapprochement.”
Promotion of Democracy and Regional Cooperation: President Biden's administration has prioritized strengthening democracy both at home and abroad. His strategy focuses on working collaboratively with regional partners rather than dictating terms through military strength.
Indo-Pacific Strategy: In February 2022, the Biden administration released its "Indo-Pacific Strategy," redefining the U.S.'s role in the region. This comprehensive approach recognizes the Indo-Pacific's economic significance, with more than half of the world's population and two-thirds of the global economy. It has allowed the U.S. to take a proactive stance in shaping the region's strategic environment.
Responsible Competition with China: President Biden's strategy seeks to influence China's behavior by fostering a balance of influence in the world. This approach prioritizes ideological values, particularly the promotion of a "free and open Indo-Pacific," where countries can make independent political choices without coercion.
Regional Partnerships: The administration has emphasized cooperation with regional groups such as the Quad (U.S., Australia, India, and Japan), AUKUS (a trilateral pact with Australia and the UK), ASEAN, and others. These partnerships have strengthened the U.S.'s presence and influence in the Indo-Pacific.
Addressing Global Challenges: The trilateral summit focuses on addressing critical global challenges, including North Korea's nuclear ambitions and providing an alternative to China for smaller countries in the region. It emphasizes plans for long-term economic and military cooperation, promoting stability and security in the Indo-Pacific.
Joint Commitments: The joint statement "The Spirit of Camp David" reaffirms a commitment to unity, cooperative problem-solving, and shared concerns, notably focusing on China's activities in the South China Sea. Additionally, it reiterates commitments to Ukraine.