Biden Plans To Wield 'Bigger Stick' Against China

President Joe Biden will keep speaking loudly against China and its abuses but plans to wield a better designed bigger stick.

Biden's take on former President Theodore Roosevelt's "big stick diplomacy" saw him announce on Wednesday his intent to form a new task force to review and recalibrate the United States' strategy and operations against China.

He said the task force will make recommendations to Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin “so that we can chart a strong path forward on China-related matters.” 

“It will require a whole-of-government effort, bipartisan cooperation in Congress and strong alliances and partnerships,” said Biden of the review during his, and Vice President Kamala Harris', first meeting with Pentagon leaders Wednesday afternoon.

“That’s how we’ll meet the China challenge and ensure the American people win the competition of the future.”

Biden sees the rivalry between the U.S. and China as “the competition of the future." He voiced concerns about the “growing challenges” posed by China and its many threats to U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific region and elsewhere.

President Joe Biden

The task force will present its findings to Austin within four months. Pentagon officials will discuss recommendations with Congress and others but no report to the public report is expected.

The task force will be headed by deputy national security adviser Ely Ratner. An expert in Asian foreign policy issues, Ratner is Biden's principal adviser on subjects concerning China. He was then-vice president Biden’s deputy national security adviser during the Obama administration.

Ratner's vast China experience will counterbalance Austin's relative lack of experience and knowledge in foreign affairs.

Some national security experts said Ratner's appointment as deputy national security adviser is a good sign for those that want to see Biden's national security team take a more competitive approach against China while working more closely with U.S. allies in Asia.

Pentagon officials described the impending strategic review as a “sprint" effort that will include inputs from U.S. intelligence, troops levels in the Indo-Pacific region and U.S. defense alliances, among many others.

Austin and Ratner will work together to craft the strategic review. Both are known China hawks intent on confronting Chinese abuses.

Austin, a retired four-star U.S. Army general and the first African-American defense secretary, said he intends to do what he can to prevent China gaining military superiority over the U.S.

He told a Senate committee during his nomination hearing he agreed with a recent Pentagon report saying China’s ambition is to transform the People's Liberation Army into an armed force equal to, and in some respects superior to, that of the United States by 2050.

“While that may be their goal, I would ... intend to make sure that never happens,” according to Austin.

Austin also announced a “global posture review” of the U.S. military last week. He intends to ensure the military’s presence around the world “aligns with our national interests" and affirm “we have the right capabilities in the right places."

The Trump administration focused almost solely on economic and trade concerns in its testy relationship with China. Its military moves against China concentrated on arming Taiwan to deter a Chinese cross strait invasion. It also conducted freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait separating Taiwan from mainland China. (11 Feb. 2021)

Biden will Be Tough on China; Stand with Taiwan

China, identified by the U.S. military as the most dangerous strategic threat to the United States, won't see any immediate easing of sanctions or diplomatic pressure under the Biden administration.

Despite immense areas of disagreement, both President Joe Biden and former president Donald Trump agree the U.S. must confront Chinese aggression with resolute strength. The Biden administration is expected to hold China to account for its human rights violations, especially against the Muslim Uyghur minority, and for its illegal territorial claims in the South China Sea, East China Sea and the Himalayas.

Team Biden agrees with the Trump administration on several “extremely touchy” issues concerning China. Early signals show the Biden administration “may change the tone and tenor of the conversation with Beijing -- but they’re not really gonna change the policy,” said Lanhee Chen, director of domestic policy studies and lecturer at Stanford University.

He pointed out that Antony Blinken, Biden’s nominee for Secretary of State, said during his confirmation hearing this week he agreed with the previous administration’s assessment that China committed genocide against the minority Uyghur Muslims.

Blinken also admitted Trump was "right in taking a tougher approach to China." On the other hand, he "very much" disagreed with the manner in which Trump went about this issue.

Blinken also “made clear that the U.S. will not be abandoning Taiwan anytime soon.” He told senators he remains in favor of greater engagement with Taiwan, or the Republic of China.

Antony Blinken

The U.S. is Taiwan’s largest arms supplier and most powerful international backer. This relationship flourished under Trump and seems set to continue under Trump.

Emily Horne, spokeswoman for the National Security Council (NSC), reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to Taiwan remains "rock-solid."

"President Biden will stand with friends and allies to advance our shared prosperity, security, and values in the Asia-Pacific region -- and that includes Taiwan," said Horne.

Taiwan took heart when its de facto ambassador to the U.S., Hsiao Bi-khim, was invited to attended Biden's swearing-in on Wednesday.

Hsiao said she was honored to be at Biden's swearing-in representing Taiwan's government and people.

"Democracy is our common language and freedom is our common objective," she said in a video message to Taiwan.

Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen sent her congratulations to Biden, saying she hoped both countries can work together to maintain regional democracy, freedom, peace and stability.

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it was the first time Taiwan's Washington representative had formally been invited to the swearing-in of a U.S. president. It noted this gracious gesture reaffirms the close friendship between Taiwan and the U.S. based on shared values.

"These shared values are democracy, freedom and human rights," said ministry spokeswoman Joanne Ou.

The United States severed diplomatic ties with Taiwan in 1979 to recognize China. The U.S., however, is bound by treaties to provide Taiwan with the means to defend itself. (Jan. 23, 2021)