Being a major power and a chief promoter of liberal democratic norms, the US has a dominant say in international affairs. Therefore, everyone is eyeing the new democratic change in the US. The elections process has completed in the US, Joe Biden has won it and is about to become the 46th president of the United States of America. Biden’s level of interaction and analysis is different from that of Donald Trump, therefore various states expect a change in US’ approach towards them in several aspects of international politics.
US stance on CPEC
In Trump’s era, the cold war between the US and China got more intensity. In this regard, the US not only blamed China for spreading the corona, a pandemic which has caused insurmountable damage to the global economy, but it also criticized China for its economic policies. Similarly, Belt Road initiative, a grant geo strategic and major economic ambition of China is also considered as a threat by US towards its strategic planning. China-Pakistan economic corridor (CPEC) is also denounced by Trump administration several times and declared it a threat to the Pakistan’s sovereignty.
Joe Biden will assume office in January, 2021. He has served the US as a vice president earlier in Obama’s administration. During that time, the Obama’s government did not criticize CPEC like the current Trump administration, in fact the former declared it an opportunity for uplifting Pakistan’s economic and social infrastructure. This time the same democratic party is back in power so Pakistan expects the same from them. Moreover, CPEC is one of the main projects under the Banner of Belt Road Initiative, BRI has spread almost in the whole world, more than 117 states are a part of it. Biden’s administration is likely to adopt the policy of engagement and dialogue with China over these matters unlike Trump’s aggressive approach. Against China, the substance might be the same because, every state prioritizes its interests first, but the aggressive stance will change.
Read more: Goodbye Trump! View from Beijing!
Iran nuclear deal
During the Obama’s administration in 2015, the US made a deal with Iran on their nuclear ambitions, called Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action JCPOA, an agreement with Iran to put limitations on its nuclear activities in exchange of some reliefs in sanctions.
In 2018, Trump administration adopted an intense stance against Iran and cancelled the nuclear deal with Iran, which brought more sanctions for Iran. These bans and sanctions on Iran, damaged to its economy significantly. As Joe Biden was a part of Obama’s rule during the time of JCPOA, several political analysts predict a revival of the old nuclear deal with Iran. Joe Biden has a more calculated and responsible approach as compared to Trump. Therefore, there are high hopes for negotiations and dialogue regarding Iran from Biden.
Read more: Biden’s win; a flicker of hope for Iran?
Revival of multilateralism by Biden
The American people have elected Joe Biden for not only uplifting the economy and countering corona pandemic, but to bring the US towards multilateralism. Under the Trump era, the United states was involved in actions that were based on unilateralism. In his election campaign, Biden argued a number of times that the “America first” approach has pushed the US into “America Alone”, and that they will bring it back to perform actively in world affairs. So, one of the main agendas of Biden administration will be to follow the principles of multilateralism. Also, in Afghanistan, he will want a peaceful withdrawal of his troops and a suitable solution to the years long dispute.
Kashmir issue
American support for India and its engagement in the region is the long-term objective of US foreign policy for countering China, but it will not support or remain silent on the brutalities of India in Kashmir. During Trump era, the US remained silent on India’s discriminatory and fascist actions in Kashmir, even though president showed his offered to mediate the between India and Pakistan over the issue. The politics of Joe Biden is far different from that of Trump, and his liberal democratic beliefs will never support the ultra-nationalist and fascist approach of Modi in Kashmir.
Read more: Biden: New Man in the White House; Pakistan’s way forward?
The writer is doing his masters in international relations, and has a wide experience in writings for national and international newspapers. He can be contacted on barkatullahbarakaat@gmail.com. The views expressed in this article are writer’s own and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Global Village Space.