Prof. Andrew J. Nathan (Columbia University)

The Biden Administration has continued the Trump Administration's declaratory policy identifying China as a "strategic competitor." It has retained Trump's tariffs, the "Quad," and other policies. Yet Biden's China policy differs in five important ways. First, it is coordinated within the administration. Second, it seeks cooperation with allies. Third, it places emphasis on strengthening the U.S. rather than weakening China. Fourth, it raises the profile of the human rights issue. Finally, besides competition, it seeks cooperation with China on issues of common interest. While Trump called the relationship a strategic competition, Biden is treating it truly as that.