Biden’s foreign policy priorities

A mandate heavily skewed to domestic policy forces US President Joe Biden to prioritise on foreign policy, writes Lincoln Mitchell.

New York (Brussels Morning) For most of his career as vice-president and as a member of the US Senate, Joe Biden appeared more interested in foreign policy than domestic politics. That foreign policy expertise and reputation likely played a role in Barack Obama’s decision to make Biden his running mate in 2008.

Had Biden become president at another time, or in another political and public health environment, he might have brought that emphasis to the presidency, but that is not possible now. Six weeks or so into Biden’s presidency, it is apparent that he is, wisely and appropriately, spending more of his time and political energy on domestic issues.

Biden has not ignored foreign affairs as he has sought to persuade America’s allies that the US has moved past the Trump era, had a series of calls with world leaders and recently sanctioned Russia for their treatment of Alexei Navalny. However, it is apparent that Biden’s emphasis remains on domestic policy, primarily his 1.9 trillion dollar COVID-19 recovery bill and getting more Americans vaccinated from the pandemic.