Commencing a six-day sojourn to Peru and Brazil, President Joe Biden, now in his final major strides as a President, appears to be more of an afterthought than the center of attention. The spotlight, rather ironically, firmly rests upon his successor – Donald Trump. As Biden seeks to make the most of his dwindling term, the world’s eyes blatantly wander past him, their gazes locked at the prospect of Trump’s re-entry into the White House and what it portends for their nations.
Conversations across the globe have begun to ignite around Trump, with phone lines sizzling into an array of congratulatory exchanges as world leaders earmark their spots in Trump’s fresh order. The impending change in guard at the White House has even prompted South Korea’s President, Yoon Suk Yeol, to consider dusting off his long-neglected golf clubs on the off chance of an opportunity to connect with the golf-enthusiast soon-to-be President Trump.
A vivid picture of the devalued stock of Biden now emerges, as Erin Murphy, an analyst from Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, portrays him as a ‘super lame duck.’ This especially rings true given the stark difference in policies anticipated under Trump’s leadership as compared to Biden’s rapidly dissipating term.
Simultaneously, Biden ambles more like an unwanted ghost on the international stage than a crucial player. Despite his diligent efforts to stage a meeting with Xi Jinping of China, America’s foremost economic and national security rival, Biden cannot escape the overshadowing presence of Trump’s campaign-promised 60% tariffs on Chinese imports.
Rather tactically, White House officials have evaded revealing their stance on how Biden will engage with Xi Jinping, guiding the limelight back to Trump. Despite his visible irrelevance, Biden’s trip layered with meetings is expected to cover a multitude of global issues, mirroring his desperate attempts to hold onto the fading vestiges of his presidency.
As a part of his tour, Biden is also slated to linger in the Amazon rainforest, marking a first for a sitting U.S. President. James Bosworth, founder of Hxagon, a Latin America-oriented political consultancy, questions the efficacy of Biden’s venture, implying that it amounts to a futile gesture of affirming democracy’s normal transition of power in light of Trump’s imminent takeover.
Doubts circulate among the international community regarding Biden’s impact as his presidency draws to a close. Yet, he remains committed to fabricating an aura of relevance despite world leaders anxiously anticipating the impending shift in power.
The conversation between Biden and Xi Jinping will indeed headline his South American visit, although it won’t be without the inevitable cloud of Trump looming large. Furthermore, despite Biden’s persistent endeavors at diplomacy, US claims of aggressive action by Beijing continuously strain relations.
US intelligence has further accused China of bolstering Russia’s military capabilities by supplying machine tools, microelectronics, and other technology, stoking tensions between the two nations. The Biden administration’s reaction, painstaking sanctions upon Chinese firms, once again underlines the administration’s flailing approach to international relations.
Adding kindling to the flames, Biden’s administration launched a failed attempt last year to shoot down a Chinese spy balloon brazenly coursing across the United States. The ensuing outcry not only fueled tensions with China, but also raised questions on Biden’s decisive strategy concerning assertive measures taken by the Chinese military against Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan.
It’s also anticipated that Biden will bring up the alleged Chinese hacking operation. Notably aimed at cellphones used by Trump, Vice President-elect JD Vance, and those related to Kamala Harris’ campaign, the ongoing US investigation subtly acknowledges the shifting scales of influence.
Throughout his campaign, Trump unfailingly emphasized his amicable rapport with Xi despite their strained relations over a contentious trade dispute and the origins of COVID-19. Following Trump’s victory, Xi iterated the need for the US and China to navigate their differences and align in a new era, dimming Biden’s fading relevance.
Reiterations of history tend to ring true as Biden finds himself in a similar predicament faced by former President Obama. The outgoing President grapples with being rendered an unsure voice amidst a monumental shift in power, paralleling Obama’s efforts to placate world leaders after Trump’s unexpected 2016 win. The collective impatience is evident as the world braces for renewed ‘America First’ policies under Trump’s stewardship.