President-elect Joe Biden said the United States will be “ready to lead” in the world again when he succeeds President Donald Trump in January and has vowed to work alongside Washington’s allies abroad.
Introducing his new foreign policy and national security team, the former Democratic vice president signaled his intention to steer the United States away from the unilateralist “America First” agenda pushed by Trump.
The Republican president has troubled many US allies, especially in Europe, by an antagonistic approach to NATO and trade relations, in addition to abandoning international agreements and generating warm relations with authoritarian leaders.
“While this team has unparalleled experience and accomplishments, it also reflects the idea that we cannot meet these challenges with old thoughts and old habits,” said Biden, who will take office on January 20.
Biden appointed Antony Blinken as US Secretary of State, Jake Sullivan as National Security Advisor, Linda Thomas-Greenfield as US Ambassador to the United Nations, Alejandro Mayorkas as Secretary of Homeland Security, and John Kerry as Envoy for weather-related issues.
US foreign policy during the Biden administration is likely to focus on a more multilateral and diplomatic approach, aimed at repairing Washington’s relations with key allies and redressing its course on issues such as climate change.
Joe Biden said he was surprised in his conversations with world leaders “how much they expect the United States to rearm its historic role as a world leader in the Pacific, as well as the Atlantic, around the world.”
