Joe Biden and Relations with Poland

The United States has been crucial for Poland’s security, and that is not likely to change. Joe Biden will not relinquish the job of protecting Poland since our European partners leave us no other alternative.

The result of the presidential election in America sparked enthusiasm in the most important countries of Western Europe. But before the new president moved into the White House, it turned out that this enthusiasm was due instead to the fact that Donald Trump, who had relished attacking his enemies, particularly Germany, had lost, rather than the fact that Joe Biden had won. It had more to do with Trump’s unacceptable style, views and actions, not with the fact that his defeat would at last demonstrate that the West had interests in common.

One can see this in the hasty moves of the major European players right before the 46th presidential inauguration in matters that separate the former Western world into one that is on the other side of the Atlantic and the one that we see here on our continent. They were divided when it came to Trump during his presidency and they continue to be so.

These are key issues for Poland that relate to security, Russia, construction of Nord Stream 2 and China. If Germany together with France was not so determined to do business with the Kremlin, it would be worth asking whether after so many decades, it was not time to bid farewell to an extreme pro-America policy, particularly since America has recently changed drastically, and it is uncertain whether the U.S. will resume Trump’s transactional approach to the security of its allies.

Fortunately, we can leave this question for later. Biden’s America will provide the best policy for Poland and for other countries in the region.

And nothing seems to indicate that the new administration in Washington wishes to eliminate this sense of security. Reducing American military presence in the region or reintroducing visas for Poles, something Trump did away with, presents a question not only of security but of issues that are important to Polish wellbeing. Moreover, and this is important for Poland and its neighbors, it looks like Biden’s administration, just like Trump and the European leadership, will not remain indifferent to the plight of Ukraine or Belarus. Biden understands the expectations and fears of the countries in the region, from Estonia to Romania. And it won’t cost him very much to ensure that those countries remain pro-American, which might prove useful in the crucial clash with China.

Poland is the largest among these countries; following Brexit, it is has the greatest pro-American attitude among any country in the European Union. That doesn’t mean Poland can expect special treatment from Biden, or frequent visits, meetings and a pat on the back from Polish politicians. The Law and Justice Party took too long to admit that Trump lost the election.

The world is unstable, and Biden will have to face a plethora of problems. He is an experienced and balanced politician. He certainly will not give up on a pro-American country despite the fact that the Polish government was so fixated on his rival, a man who questioned the democratic vote, something that Trump would do.