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US-China tensions: Joe Biden signals tougher line on Beijing with key appointments
- Asia experts and veteran advisers from the former Obama administration are among picks for roles across departments
- President has warned of ‘extreme competition’ with China and the change in tone from the Obama era is unambiguous, analyst says
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US President Joe Biden has chosen a slew of China specialists for key positions in his administration, signalling a shift in resources to continue Washington’s tougher approach against Beijing in a renewed “pivot to Asia”.
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The appointments across departments include Asia experts and veteran advisers from the former Barack Obama administration, but reflect the deepening bipartisan consensus for a more hardline policy to compete with an increasingly aggressive China. Biden’s cabinet picks, including US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, have said China represents the greatest strategic threat to the United States.
Sarah Kreps, a professor of government and law at Cornell University, said the new administration’s team has indicated it will chart a different path in China policy, with Biden warning of “extreme competition” compared to Obama’s efforts for a strategic partnership between the countries.
“All of the signs coming out of the administration are that even if many of the individuals are the same as a decade ago, the policies will not be,” she said. “The specifics are still unclear but the change in tone from the Obama administration is unambiguous.”
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US President Joe Biden orders new Pentagon task force to review China strategy
US President Joe Biden orders new Pentagon task force to review China strategy
Biden last week announced the launch of a new China task force under the Department of Defence to review US strategy towards China, which he said would require a “whole-of-government effort, bipartisan cooperation in Congress, and strong alliances and partnerships”.
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