bloc led by China. Even if Mr Biden were minded to be cautious, Congress will demand
sanctions over China’s crushing of civil liberties in Hong Kong, and over the forced “re-
education” of Muslim Uyghurs in the far-western region of Xinjiang.
Mr Biden will tread carefully regarding the democratic island of Taiwan. He will
preserve a decades-old balancing act in which America uses its armed forces to deter
China from trying to invade the island, while reassuring Chinese leaders that America
will not encourage a formal declaration of independence by Taiwan.
In a big change, Mr Biden will seek China’s help with global problems that Mr Trump
mocked, such as climate change, or preferred to tackle alone, such as developing covid-
19 treatments. Mr Biden may ask China to join him in reviving the nuclear pact that
Barack Obama signed with Iran and leading world powers, before Mr Trump disowned
it. Olive-branches to China will be denounced by Republicans, particularly those with
eyes on 2024.
Finally, America will be back in the business of coalition-building, or at least picking
fewer fights with its allies. Mr Biden wants friends in his corner as he squares off against
China. Rules or no, a tough contest looms.
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