In contrast to his predecessor Donald Trump, Biden relies on alliances and multilateralism in foreign policy.
(Photo: AP)
Nobody should be surprised by Joe Biden’s consistent protectionism. In his inaugural speech about two years ago, the US President said: “All investments should be guided by one principle: Buy American.”
At this year’s State of the Union address, Biden followed up and focused his address on local supply chains. The US President is pursuing the goal of an industrial revolution.
Under his leadership, the US has passed three major subsidy packages, nearly $2 trillion going into infrastructure, advanced manufacturing, semiconductors and low-emission energy. In the case of the “Inflation Reduction Act”, the money can flow indefinitely for ten years.
From the American point of view, Biden deserves respect for this, after all he provides a clear perspective for workers, competitiveness and climate protection. But there is no doubt that his course is also a declaration of war – not only to China, but also to the partners of the USA.
In Europe, the message should finally have gotten across that the USA will focus even more on isolation in the future. The fact that the President announced new market barriers for public construction projects in his “State of the Union” speech shows where the journey is headed – and that it is far from over.
“A Republican President Would Reinforce America First”
An interesting shift could also be observed during the visit of the economics ministers of Germany and France, Robert Habeck and Bruno Le Maire. A few months ago, Biden appeared conciliatory in the dispute over the Inflation Reduction Act and emphasized that he did not want to offend European partners.
He now says, “I’m not going to apologize for investing to make America strong.” That’s a phrase to remember in Europe. Protectionism is and will remain Biden’s constant, even in a possible second term.
And that European policy could be more moderate under another, possibly Republican president – nobody should hope for that either. On the contrary: A Republican president would in all probability reinforce the “America first” course.
The demarcation from China and the strengthening of domestic supply chains are also goals that both US parties are pursuing. No president will move away from this in the foreseeable future. New conflicts in the transatlantic relationship are only a matter of time.
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Ever new blockades against China put the EU under pressure. In addition, the provisional agreement on steel and aluminum tariffs expires in October, when Washington and Brussels will have to find a solution. The US government has no plans to sign major trade deals — in fact, Biden never mentioned the word “trade” in his speech.
In contrast to his predecessor Donald Trump, Biden relies on alliances and multilateralism in foreign policy. With Biden, Europe has no enemy in the White House, but a friend, which is more important than ever in times of the Ukraine war.
But in view of the economic interdependence, Europeans will sooner rather than later have to adjust to a new reality: When in doubt, your friend will put their own interests above everything else. America first has only just begun.
More: US President Biden announces more protectionism and dissociation from China