As the upcoming election season heats up, domestic rancor has consumed the American political discourse. However, it is important to remember that there are significant foreign policy issues at play, and they require our attention. Unfortunately, recent reports suggest that the Biden administration is not effectively handling these issues.
Leaked emails and inside sources have revealed a troubling policy pursued by Joe Biden regarding China. According to Reuters, during the Chinese spy balloon incident that captured the nation’s attention in early 2023, Secretary of State Antony Blinken was more concerned with protecting the communist regime than taking action against it.
When the Chinese spy balloon reportedly entered U.S. airspace, some officials expected the incident to prompt a swift response from the U.S. government. However, instead of implementing human rights-related sanctions and other measures to counter China, the State Department delayed these actions to limit any potential damage to the U.S.-China relationship. The decision to postpone actions against Chinese tech companies like Huawei and to combat China’s genocide of the Uyghurs has damaged morale at the China House, according to sources with direct knowledge of U.S. policy.
It appears that Blinken delegated U.S. policy toward China to Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman, who has a history of being soft on China. Sherman led the lobbying effort against the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act of 2021 and was also involved in the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan. The Biden administration’s seeming lack of action against China raises questions about its priorities and allegiances.
Some speculate that the Biden administration’s inaction regarding China is not merely a result of incompetence, but rather a result of being influenced by the Chinese government. From COVID to economics, the Chinese appear to be given too much leeway to dominate. It is time to start asking why and demand action from our government. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is crucial for the United States to maintain strong leadership and stand up for our values on the global stage.